Loupe Assisted Thyroidectomy: A Tool for Reducing Complications

The objective of this study is to assess if the use of magnification can reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia and vocal cord palsy in thyroid surgery. Data of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (N = 50) for thyroid malignancy were analyzed retrospectively for 1 year. The patients were divided into two groups based on surgery with and without loupes. Hypocalcemia and Vocal cord palsy was assessed pre as well as post-operatively and the observations were noted. Descriptive statistics were performed to assess the proportion of the respective groups. Inferential statistics to find out the difference between the groups was done using the chi-square test. Significance level was kept at 5%. The incidence of hypocalcemia was 36.9% in the group done without loupes compared to 7.6% with loupes. The event of vocal cord injury though transient was 33% when done without loupes (p < 0.05). Magnification is crucial for the visualization of the neurovascular anatomy which is depicted in our study. Although the study includes less number of cases, it is evident that the use of loupe magnification can reduce the morbidity associated with thyroid surgery to a great extent. We recommend the use of loupe magnification during surgery whenever possible.