Near‐Infrared Autofluorescence–Guided Parathyroid Identification During Pediatric Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer: A Comparative Study

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after total thyroidectomy in children. Evidence supporting near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) in pediatric thyroid surgery remains limited. This study is the first report describing near-infrared autofluorescence imaging in pediatric thyroid cancer surgery. METHODS: In this single-center study, 45 total thyroidectomy procedures with central lymph node dissection were performed in 40 children with thyroid cancer. NIRAF with Fluobeam LX was applied in 31 procedures and compared with 14 controls. Rates of incidental parathyroidectomy and postoperative hypoparathyroidism were analyzed. RESULTS: Autofluorescence was detected in 77% of NIRAF-assisted procedures (mean 2.5 glands per procedure). Histopathologically confirmed parathyroid removal occurred less frequently with NIRAF (35.5% vs. 57%). Transient hypoparathyroidism developed in 20.7% of NIRAF cases and 36.4% of controls; permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 3.4% and 7.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NIRAF was feasible in pediatric thyroidectomy and was associated with reduced incidental parathyroid removal and lower rates of postoperative hypoparathyroidism.