Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Identification and Protection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy
Published on: October 24, 2025
Ultrasound-guided methylene blue dye injection for parathyroid localization in the reoperative neck
Leah Candell1, Michael J Campbell, Wen T Shen
1General Surgery, University of California, San Francisco-East Bay, Oakland, CA, USA.
Background:
The goal of this study was to review a single institution's experience using intraoperative ultrasound-guided (ioUSG) methylene blue dye injection for the localization and removal of enlarged parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and a history of previous neck surgery.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective review of nine consecutive patients who underwent reoperative parathyroidectomy using ioUSG methylene blue dye injection.
Results:
All patients had successful resolution of their hyperparathyroidism, with at least a 50 % decrease in intraoperative parathyroid hormone level after resection. One patient had transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis. There were no permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries or cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusions:
Blue dye injection is a safe and effective method of localizing diseased parathyroid glands in the reoperative neck.
