Heterotopic thyroid autotransplantation: A preliminary clinical study
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Published on: April 17, 2013
Mahmoud Sakr1, Yasser El-Kerm2, Waleed Abo-Elwafa1
1Department of Surgery, Head, Neck, and Endocrine Surgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
Background:
Thyroid autotransplantation offers an attractive alternative to subtotal thyroidectomy and replacement therapy. However, it has not been sufficiently clinically investigated.
Methods:
Total thyroidectomy was performed for 20 patients with benign thyroid disorders, and at least 10 g of thyroid tissue were implanted intramuscularly. Graft monitoring was achieved through 99m Tc scan at 2 months, free triiodothyronine (FT3), FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measurements at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months postoperatively, and clinical examination.
Results:
Grafts survived and gradually functioned in all patients to a variable extent after a latent period (mean 99m Tc uptake = 1.28 ± 0.37%). Mean values for FT3, FT4, TSH at 12 months were 1.75 ± 0.48 pg/mL, 1.06 ± 0.26 ng/dL, and 28.08 ± 34.01 μIU/mL respectively.
Conclusion:
Thyroid autotransplantation restored euthyroid status in 33.3% of patients after 12 months. A role of age, operative time, and 99m Tc-uptake in determining the final graft outcome is possible.
