Incidence of parathyroid tissue in level VI neck dissection.

BACKGROUND

Level VI central neck dissections are commonly completed with thyroidectomy. This procedure involves risk of damage to, or incidental excision of, one or more of the parathyroid glands.

METHODS

This study examined the pathology reports of patients undergoing thyroid surgery to determine the incidence of parathyroid tissue associated with level VI neck dissections and the risk factors associated with incidental parathyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Ninety pathology specimens were analyzed. The incidence of parathyroid tissue associated with level VI neck dissections was 41.4%. We discovered that a higher frequency of incidental parathyroid tissue was located in level VI neck dissections among patients discovered to have malignant thyroid disease. There was no significant association between incidental parathyroidectomy and the sex of the patient, the age of the patient, the type of thyroid surgery, or transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism.

CONCLUSION

A large percentage of level VI neck dissections in thyroid surgery were associated with incidental parathyroid tissue. A more detailed examination of surgical specimens may decrease this possibly preventable surgical complication.