Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using gamma probe in complementary thyroidectomies and compare the results with those of classical complementary operations.
Material methods: 51 patients who has been planned to complementary thyroidectomy were divided into two groups as to be applied with classical thyroidectomy (Group 1; 26 patients) and gamma probe aided “radio guided” complementary thyroidectomy (Group 2; 25 patients). Routine laryngoscopy were applied to both groups of patients pereoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative routine clinical and laboratory characteristics, operating time, temporary and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism, postoperative laboratory and pathology results, complications, and postoperative residual with scintigraphy were compared.
Results: There were not signi!cant difference between two groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative laboratory and patology results (p> 0.05). statistically difference were found in the favor of gamma probe used group in term of operation duration There were not significant difference between two groups in terms of temporary and permenant RLN injury (p>0.05). Two groups were similar in terms of postoperative temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism, laboratory results and complications (p>0.05). Statistically difference was not found in term of postoperative residue when based on total patients in two groups. However, when the malign patients were compared there was a signi%cant decrease in the gama probe used group in term of postoperative residue (p=0.022).
Conclusion: The results of this study make us think that complementary thyroidectomy performed with gamma probe does not increase complication ratios, simpli%es the postoperative treatments and controls by supplying more ef%cient surgical resection and is an ef%cient technique for prevention of reoccurrences. We think that present study could be seen as a beginning due to its being of the %rst example of using gamma probe in complementary thyroidectomy in our clinic and it needs to be developed by including more patients.