Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy: What is the role of tumour size? A single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Although, there are studies in the literature having shown the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, there are still debates for tumour size and the requirement of the minimal invasive approach. Our hypothesis was that the use of laparoscopy facilitates minimally invasive resection of large adrenal tumours regardless of tumour size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within 7 years, 149 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at one institution. The patients were divided into two study groups according to tumour size. Group 1 included patients with adrenal tumours smaller than 5 cm and group 2 included larger than 5 cm. Patient demographics and clinical parameters, operative time, complications, hospital stay and final pathology were analysed. Statistical analyses of clinical and perioperative parameters were performed using Student's t-test and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: There were 88 patients in group 1 and 70 in group 2. There were no significant differences between study groups regarding patient demographics, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in group 2 (P = 0.002). The conversion to open rate was similar between study groups with 5.6% versus 4.2%, respectively. Pathology was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the use laparoscopy for adrenal tumours larger than 5 cm is a safe and feasible technique. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is our preferred minimally invasive surgical approach for removing large adrenal tumours.

Increased interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels after thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to consider levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNFα after thyroid surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy enrolled in this study. Drain fluid samples were taken. IL-1 and TNFα results and their relationship with other factors were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between IL-1 and hyperthyroidism (rs=0.614, p<0.001), operative time (rs=0.770, p<0.001), and excised thyroid volume (rs=0.829, p<0.001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between TNFα and hyperthyroidism (rs=0.430, p<0.001), operative time (rs=0.392, p<0.001), and excised thyroid volume (rs=0.398, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed us that the parameters related to increased proinflammatory cytokine levels after thyroid surgery were hyperthyroidism, operative time, and excised thyroid volume, but this increase did not show us any clinical outcomes related to these parameters.

Factors that affect the false-negative outcomes of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules.

Background. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that affect the false-negative outcomes of fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) in thyroid nodules. Methods. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNAB and surgery between August 2005 and January 2012 were analyzed. FNABs were taken from the suspicious nodules regardless of nodule size. Results. Nodules were analyzed in 2 different groups: Group 1 was the false-negatives (n = 81) and Group 2 was the remaining true-positives, true-negatives, and false-positives (n = 649). A cytopathologist attended in 559 (77%) of FNAB procedures. There was a positive correlation between the nodule size and false-negative rates, and the absence of an interpreting cytopathologist for the examination of the FNAB procedure was the most significant parameter with a 76-fold increased risk of false-negative results. Conclusion. The contribution of cytopathologists extends the time of the procedure, and this could be a difficult practice in centres with high patient turnovers. We currently request the contribution of a cytopathologist for selected patients whom should be followed up without surgery.

Predictive value of thyroid tissue density in determining the patients on whom sternotomy should be performed.

BACKGROUND: Retrosternal goiter incidence rates range between 0.2% and 45% of all goiters, and sternotomy is performed in some of patients. There is no consensus for selecting the patients on whom sternotomy should be performed. We aimed to determine the most important factor for predicting requirement of sternotomy. METHODS: This prospective study included 260 patients with retrosternal goiter. The clinical symptoms, history of previous thyroidectomy, presence of tracheal deviation, tracheal compression, site of mediastinal extension, thyroid tissue density, findings of intubation, type of surgical approach, histologic findings of thyroid, weight of thyroid, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Thyroid tissue density, posterior location, and subcarinal extension were found to be independent factors for predicting requirement of sternotomy. The risk for sternotomy increased 47-fold for patients with harder thyroid tissue density (OR: 47.3; 95% CI: 5.8-385.70), 20-fold for patients with subcarinal extension (OR: 20.5; 95% CI: 2.5-168), and 10-fold for patients with posterior location (OR: 10.5; 95% CI:1.8-60). CONCLUSION: Thyroid tissue density was defined the strongest predictive factor for requirement of sternotomy. Preoperatively obtained information thyroid tissue density can be useful for surgical strategy.

Determinants of postoperative hypocalcemia in vitamin D-deficient Graves' patients after total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy appears to be multifactorial, that is, postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism, low 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations, aging, and hyperthyroidism with increased bone turnover. Our aim was to evaluate the factors responsible for postoperative hypocalcemia in euthyroid vitamin D-deficient/insufficient Graves patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at our institution. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with Graves disease treated by total thyroidectomy were included in the present study. All patients were vitamin D deficient/insufficient (ie, 25-OHD concentrations of <20/<30 ng/mL, respectively). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to postoperative serum albumin corrected calcium concentrations: group 1 (n = 13) patients had postoperative serum calcium concentrations of 8 mg/dL or less; group 2 (n = 22) patients had serum calcium concentrations greater than 8 mg/dL. Bone turnover markers (deoxypiridinoline, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) and 25-OHD were determined the day before surgery. RESULTS: In group 1 patients, disease duration was significantly longer, 25-OHD and postoperative parathyroid hormone concentrations were significantly lower, and bone turnover markers were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a postoperative parathyroid hormone concentration less than 10 pg/mL was the most powerful parameter to predict postoperative hypocalcemia (odds ratio, 23; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-156). CONCLUSIONS: In Graves patients with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, postoperative (transient) hypoparathyroidism is the most significant parameter to determine the development of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Predictive value of retroperitoneal fat area measurement for detecting metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Visceral obesity is one of the main components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The retroperitoneal fat area (RFA) is part of the intraabdominal adipose mass. The aim of this clinical trial was to determine whether there is an association between the RFA measurement and MetS components in patients undergoing laparoscopic lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 61 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy between January 2007 and June 2010 at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Anthropometric, demographic, and biochemical parameters as well as cardiometabolic risk factors were recorded. The RFA was calculated using computed tomography. RESULTS: The mean body mass index, waist circumference, and RFA in patients with MetS was significantly higher than that of the patients without MetS. There were positive correlations between RFA and central obesity (r=0.675, p=0.0001) and MetS (r=0.894, p=0.0001). The strongest correlation was observed between RFA and MetS. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, RFA measurement correctly predicted MetS risk in 96% of patients and failed in only 4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that measurement of the RFA may provide a safe, easy assessment of its metabolic risk.

Radio-guided excision of parathyroid lesions in patients who had previous neck surgeries: a safe and easy technique for re-operative parathyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been recommended to detect parathyroid lesions in patients who have previously undergone neck surgeries, including radio-guided surgery or intraoperative ultrasounds. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the radio-guided excision of pathologic parathyroid lesions allowed us to find affected lesions in patients who had previously undergone neck operations. METHODS: This prospective study included 18 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had previously undergone neck surgeries. The pathologic parathyroid lesions were localized by ultrasonography, and a radiotracer was injected directly into the lesions. RESULTS: Careful dissections were carried out by following the area of maximum radioactivity until the lesions were identified and excised. Eighteen parathyroid adenomas were removed in 18 patients. The median count from each lesion was significantly higher than the values measured from the adjacent tissues and the lesion beds (12550/20 s, 370/20 s, and 35/20 s, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Radio-guided excision of parathyroid lesions can be performed safely for re-operative parathyroid surgery.

Diagnostic value of thyroglobulin measurement in fine-needle aspiration biopsy for detecting metastatic lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and fine-needle aspiration thyroglobulin measurements (FNA-Tg) for detecting cervical lymph node metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: This prospective study included 225 patients with neck node metastases or recurrences of papillary thyroid carcinoma. From the 225 patients, 255 lymph nodes were evaluated by FNAC and FNA-Tg. Final diagnoses confirmed by histological examination were compared to preoperative FNAC and FNA-Tg results. RESULTS: FNAC correctly diagnosed 212 metastatic lymph nodes but failed to diagnose 43 of them. FNA-Tg correctly diagnosed 253 metastatic lymph nodes but failed to diagnose two of them. FNA-Tg levels showed 100% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 99% diagnostic accuracy, a 99% positive predictive value (PPV) and a 100% negative predictive value (NPV) with a threshold level of FNA-Tg with a diagnostic accuracy 28.5 ng/ml. The specificity, diagnostic accuracy, PPV and NPV of FNA-Tg were significantly higher than those of FNAC. CONCLUSION: FNA-Tg measurement can be performed safely for the detection of lymph node metastasis in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas.

Intestinal Langerhans cell histiocytosis-like lesion in an adult presented with diverticulitis: a reactive or neoplastic condition?

The involvement of the gut by Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is very rare in adults; however this is usually observed with a disseminated disease in children. We report a 75-year-old male patient who underwent right hemicolectomy for a complicated intestinal diverticular disease. The surgical specimen revealed LCH-like proliferative lesion associated with diverticulitis. The overall morphological and immunohistochemical findings are indistinguishable from LCH. Systemic scans and subsequently performed bone marrow biopsies were free of disease. Although the HUMARA clonality assay cannot be assessed, the lack of evidence of LCH progression or disease elsewhere in the whole body strongly supported the possibility of an atypical reactive phenomenon probably due to the underlying intestinal diverticular disease. Therefore, it is important to avoid diagnosing such a unifocal Langerhans cell proliferation as LCH in patients with underlying pathologies in the absence of systemic involvement. Therefore, without knowledge of clonal status of a unifocal Langerhans cell proliferation, we recommend using the terminology of LCH-like lesion.

N-butyl cyanoacrylate versus conventional suturing for fixation of meshes in an incisional hernia model.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain and related complications reported after the use of perforating fixation devices in hernia surgery have led to the use of tissue sealants. Fibrin sealant is a feasible option for mesh fixation; however data on cyanoacrylate glues are limited. METHODS: 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups and a 1.5 cm abdominal wall defect was created on each animal. The lesions were then repaired with 2 × 2 cm polypropylene meshes, fixed with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate in the first group and with polypropylene sutures in the second group. The rats were sacrificed on the 21st and 42nd days. The presence of infection, recurrence, and abdominal adhesions were evaluated, followed by biomechanical testing and histological examination. RESULTS: No mesh infection or hernia recurrences were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference between neither the adhesion scores nor the mean broken pressure of the two groups. Cyanoacrylate sealing was found equivalent to suturing in terms of tissue ingrowth, fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration, abscess formation, and necrosis. Furthermore, cyanoacrylate resulted in less foreign body reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh fixation by cyanoacrylate may be considered as an alternative to suture fixation.

Radio-guided excision of metastatic lymph nodes in thyroid carcinoma: a safe technique for previously operated neck compartments.

BACKGROUND: Better follow-up of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and more sensitive detection leads to detection of recurrences in the neck. Despite excellent outcomes, the major challenge is controlling locoregional recurrence. We aimed to investigate whether the radio-guided excision of metastatic lymph nodes makes it possible to find the affected lymph nodes in patients with previously operated neck compartments. METHOD: This prospective study included 46 patients with recurrent/persistent PTC who had previously undergone operation of the neck compartment. Prior to operation, the pathologic node was localized by ultrasound (US) and radiotracer ((99m)Tc-labeled rhenium colloid) was injected directly into the pathologic node. Careful dissection was carried out following the area of maximum radioactivity until the metastatic lymph node(s) were identified and excised. RESULT: One affected lymph node was removed in 17 patients, and more than one lymph node (affected or additional nodes) was removed in 29 patients. The median count from the lesion was significantly higher than values from the lesion bed (background activity) (16,886 counts/20 s versus 52 counts/20 s; p < 0.001). During follow-up, four patients were lost to follow-up and 27 patients had negative US and basal thyroglobulin (Tg). Five patients had suspicious lymph nodes on the operated side. Although the basal Tg level remained above the normal limit, moderately high in 8 patients, no metastases were detected in the neck. CONCLUSIONS: Radio-guided excision of metastatic lymph nodes can be performed safely for the detection and excision of recurrent thyroid cancer in the central and lateral neck.

Evaluation of recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery.

AIM: Thyroidectomy creates a potential risk for all parathyroid glands and nerves. Nerve identification has decreased the rates of nerve injury during thyroidectomy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has been used as an adjunct to the visual identification of the nerve. The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of the identification time of RLN during thyroidectomy using IONM. METHOD: Two hundred and thirty seven patients and 409 nerves at risk were enrolled in this prospective study. The nerves in Group 1 (n=210) were identified with IONM, whereas the nerves in Group 2 (n=199) were identified without IONM. RESULT: The identification time of RLN and the operating time in patients of Group 1 were significantly lower than patients of Group 2. There was not any significant difference between postoperative complications of the groups. According to logistic regression analysis, the use of IONM was found to be the only determinant of the decrease of identification time of RLN. CONCLUSION: Although the operating time was lower with IONM than with visualization alone, the shortened surgical time may not seem to have great clinical relevance. However, the shorter the nerve is identified the lower is the surgeon's level of stress. We think that it is important to use IONM to decrease the identification time of RLN in the course of thyroidectomy.

Novel hemostatic devices in thyroid surgery: are they necessary in every patient performing thyroidectomy?

TThis study was conducted to compare the outcome of total thyroidectomy using novel hemostatic devices and the classic suture ligation technique. This prospective study included 195 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy between January 2008 and March 2009. The main outcomes measured were operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, pain score, and postoperative complications. The three groups tested were similar in terms of demographics, thyroid gland weight and pathology, and postoperative complications. According to two-way analysis of variance, the use of hemostatic devices in thyroid volume less than 40 ml was not found to significantly correlate with operating time, intraoperative blood loss or postoperative drainage. Novel hemostatic devices are safe, useful, and time-saving adjuncts for thyroid surgery, and the use of these devices seems to have great advantages in the patients with large goiters.

The effect of retroperitoneal fat mass on surgical outcomes in patients performing laparoscopic adrenalectomy: the effect of fat tissue in adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and visceral fat are thought to be the most important factors influencing the technical difficulty during open and laparoscopic surgery. The authors aimed to investigate the effect of retroperitoneal fat mass on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 51 consecutive patients who underwent lateral transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Body mass index (BMI) and retroperitoneal fat area (RFA)/adrenal mass area (AMA) ratio were calculated. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between BMI and operating time and postoperative complications and hospital stay. According to 2-way analysis of variance, only RFA/AMA ratio (P = .0001) was found to significantly correlate with operating time, whereas BMI did not significantly correlate with operating time (P = .51). In patients with high BMI, high RFA indicated longer operating time and higher complication rate, whereas low RFA was associated with significantly shorter operating time and decreased risk of complications. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal fat mass is a more useful parameter than BMI for predicting the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Cardiovascular risk in patients with nonfunctional adrenal incidentaloma: myth or reality?

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether nonfunctional adrenal incidentaloma (NFA) increases the risk of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome or whether this type of adrenal tumor has been found more frequently in patients with cardiometabolic risk factors. We aimed to determine the effects of NFA on cardiometabolic risk factors and endothelial function and to compare the patients with a 1:1 cardiometabolic risk factor matched control group. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with NFA were studied, and 35 body mass index-, age-, and sex-matched subjects were regarded as group 2 controls. Thirty-five cardiometabolic risk factors-matched subjects were then regarded as group 3 controls. RESULTS: Patients with NFA had significantly lower flow-mediated dilation (FMD)-a parameter for endothelial function-measurements compared with groups 2 and 3 (7.1 +/- 2.9% vs. 12.9 +/- 3.8% and 13.5 +/- 4.5%; P < 0.02). Frequency of metabolic syndrome was also significantly higher in NFA patients than in control groups 2 and 3 (31.4, 5.7, and 20.0%, respectively; P < 0.05). Age (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.9), total cholesterol (OR = 2.3), and presence of adrenal incidentaloma (OR = 10) were significant independent predictors of lower FMD (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NFA have increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and impaired endothelial function compared with 1:1 cardiometabolic risk factor-matched controls.

The characteristics of concomitant thyroid nodules cause false-positive ultrasonography results in primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant thyroid nodules are the most common reason for false-positive ultrasonography (US) results in primary hyperparathyroidism. The aims of this prospective clinical study were to evaluate false-positive US results according to the characteristics of concomitant thyroid nodules and to determine which characteristics of thyroid nodules are important. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included 120 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative US results. Group 1 consisted of 32 patients with false-positive US results and group 2 consisted of 88 patients with true-positive US results. RESULTS: The risk for false-positive US result was increased 25-fold for patients with parathyroid adenoma weight of more than 500 mg (odds ratio [OR], 25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6-74.5), 75-fold for more than 1 posteriorly located thyroid (OR, 75; 95% CI, 19.3-293.4), 358-fold for the presence of exophytic thyroid nodules (OR, 358; 95% CI, 42.3-3036), and 423-fold for the presence of posteriorly located thyroid nodules (OR, 423; 95% CI, 49-3662). CONCLUSION: Although there was no particular characteristic of concomitant thyroid nodules that contributes to false-positive US results, the posteriorly located thyroid nodules were the strongest correlate for the false-positive US results to other features.

The change in the principle of performing laparoscopic adrenalectomy from small to large masses.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the gold standard in most patients with adrenal tumors. It is unclear; however, at what size an adrenal neoplasm should be resected by means of an open or a laparoscopic approach. The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumors with smaller tumors. METHODS: A prospective study of patients who underwent adrenalectomy during the period 2006-2009 was undertaken. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the tumor size. Group 1 (n=29) consisted of patients presenting tumors smaller than 5 cm in diameter; group 2 (n=31) consisted of patients with tumors larger than 5 cm in diameter. RESULTS: Two of the 29 tumors in group 1 (6.8%) were malignant at final histology. However, 11 of the 31 tumors in group 2 (35.4%) were malignant. There were no significant differences between operating time and complications of groups 1 and 2. The intra-operative blood loss was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a reasonable procedure for selected large adrenal tumors when a complete resection is technically feasible and there is no evidence of local invasion.

The impact of age, vitamin D(3) level, and incidental parathyroidectomy on postoperative hypocalcemia after total or near total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia caused by transient or definitive hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after thyroidectomy. We aimed to compare the impact of incidental parathyroidectomy and serum vitamin D(3) level on postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy (TT) or near total thyroidectomy (NTT). PATIENTS: Two hundred consecutive patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter treated by TT and NTT were included prospectively in the present study. Group 1 (n = 49) consisted of patients with a postoperative serum calcium level < or =8 mg/dL, and group 2 (n = 151) had a postoperative serum calcium level greater than 8 mg/dL. Patients were evaluated according to age, preoperative serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, postoperative serum calcium levels, incidental parathyroidectomy, and the type of thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Patients in group 1 (n = 49) were hypocalcemic, whereas patients in group 2 (n = 151) were normocalcemic. Preoperative serum 25-OHD levels in group 1 were significantly lower than in group 2 (P < .001). The incidence of hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher following TT (13.5%) than following NTT (2.5%) (P < .05). The risk for postoperative hypocalcemia was increased 25-fold for patients older than 50 years, 28-fold for patients with a preoperative serum 25-OHD level less than 15 ng/mL, and 71-fold for patients who underwent TT. Incidental parathyroidectomy did not have an impact on postoperative hypocalcemia. The highest risk of postoperative hypocalcemia was found in the patients with all of the above variables. CONCLUSIONS: Age, preoperative low serum 25-OHD, and TT are significantly associated with postoperative hypocalcemia. Patients with advanced age and low preoperative serum 25-OHD levels should be placed on calcium or vitamin D supplementation after TT to avoid postoperative hypocalcemia and decrease hospital stay.

Minimally invasive video-assisted subtotal parathyroidectomy with thymectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is common in patients with chronic renal failure. Bilateral cervical exploration is optimal for patients with sHPT. The aims of this clinical trial are to evaluate the feasibility of video-assisted subtotal parathyroidectomy as an alternative surgical treatment for sHPT. METHODS: This prospective study included 12 consecutive patients with sHPT. Surgical indications included a high intact parathormone level, enlarged parathyroid glands, high bone turnover and conditions refractory to medical treatment of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. RESULTS: All patients underwent minimally invasive video-assisted subtotal parathyroidectomy and trans-cervical thymectomy. Four cervical glands were found in all patients and intrathymic glands were identified in three (25%) patients. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive video-assisted subtotal parathyroidectomy offers an alternative method, and this technique can be performed safely for sHPT.

Risk factors of incidental parathyroidectomy after thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders.

BACKGROUND: Incidental resection of parathyroid tissue is not uncommon during thyroidectomy and may occur even in the hands of experienced thyroid surgeons. We aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of incidental parathyroidectomy and to determine which risk factors are important for it. PATIENTS: Four hundred and forty consecutive patients with non-toxic multinodular goitre treated by total and near-total thyroidectomy were included prospectively in the present study. Patients in group 1 (n=48) had inadvertent resection of parathyroid gland, whereas patients in group 2 (n=392) did not have parathyroid glands removed. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the incidental parathyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy (r(s)=0.519, p=0.0001), and thyroid pathology (r(s)=0.338, p=0.0001) and intrathyroid parathyroid locations. Incidental parathyroidectomy did not have an impact on postoperative hypocalcemia. The risk for incidental parathyroidectomy was increased 13-fold for patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (OR: 13.7; 95% CI:4.08-46.05), 4-fold for patients with substernal goitre (OR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1-14.3). CONCLUSIONS: Total thyroidectomy, thyroid pathology, and intrathyroid parathyroid locations are risk factors for incidental parathyroidectomy. All established risk factors for incidental parathyroidectomy are also risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia. Incidental parathyroidectomy during thyroid surgery may be a potential complication.