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Heterotopic thyroid autotransplantation: A preliminary clinical study
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.
Head & Neck
|October 28, 2017
Summary
Thyroid autotransplantation after total thyroidectomy shows promising results, restoring normal thyroid function in a third of patients. Further research may identify factors influencing graft success.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Thyroid autotransplantation presents a viable alternative to traditional thyroidectomy and hormone replacement therapy.
- Clinical investigation into the efficacy of thyroid autotransplantation remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of thyroid autotransplantation in patients with benign thyroid disorders.
- To assess graft function and restoration of euthyroid status post-autotransplantation.
Main Methods:
- Twenty patients with benign thyroid disorders underwent total thyroidectomy and intramuscular implantation of at least 10g of thyroid tissue.
- Graft viability was monitored using technetium-99m (99mTc) scans at 2 months.
- Hormonal levels (free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)) and clinical examinations were conducted over 12 months.
Main Results:
- Thyroid grafts demonstrated survival and gradual function in all patients, with a mean 99mTc uptake of 1.28 ± 0.37%.
- At 12 months post-surgery, mean FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were 1.75 ± 0.48 pg/mL, 1.06 ± 0.26 ng/dL, and 28.08 ± 34.01 μIU/mL, respectively.
- Euthyroid status was achieved in 33.3% of patients by the 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid autotransplantation successfully restored euthyroid status in one-third of patients within a year.
- Factors such as patient age, operative duration, and 99mTc uptake may influence the long-term success of thyroid grafts.
