Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after a total thyroidectomy surgery. It is most often transient but can sometimes be permanent when it persists for more than 6 months after surgery. The rates are variable, of the order of 32% for transient hypoparathyroidism and 1% for definitive hypoparathyroidism. Untreated permanent hypoparathyroidism is the source of many complications in general and therefore requires lifelong replacement therapy. The result is a significant deterioration in quality of life.~The mechanisms responsible for hypoparathyroidism during thyroidectomy are direct damage to the parathyroid glands, involuntary excision of these glands, and devascularization of these glands.~The detection of parathyroid glands and the prevention of hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy therefore represents a major challenge.~The intraoperative use of indocyanine green angiography has recently been described as a reliable means of detecting parathyroid and predicting the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism.~In addition, prior studies and intraoperative observations suggest that indocyanine green angiography during thyroid surgery may be a means of preserving parathyroid in vivo and thus reducing post-operative hypoparathyroidism rates.
Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after a total thyroidectomy surgery. It becomes permanent after 6 months.~Untreated permanent hypoparathyroidism is a source of numerous complications in general and therefore requires lifelong replacement therapy resulting in a significant deterioration in quality of life.~The intraoperative use of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has recently been described as a reliable means of detecting parathyroidism and predicting the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism.~This use could prove to be a way to preserve parathyroid in vivo and thus reduce post-operative hypoparathyroidism rates.