Detection of parathyroid glands with autofluoresence during thyroid and parathyroid surgery

BRIEF NAME: Assessing Benefits of Near Infrared Autofluorescence Detection for Identifying Parathyroid Glands during Endocrine Surgery MATERIALS USED: The intervention will evaluate whether the PTeye (Medtronic, Santa Barbara, CA) a probe-based near infrared autofluorescence detection device that consists of a console, a handheld fibre optic probe, a foot pedal and an external power supply, can assist surgeons to identify PGs during thyroid and parathyroid operations confidently. PROCEDURE: A standard thyroid or parathyroid operation will take place and use of he PTeye will occur if the patient has been randomised to the intervention arm The handheld fibre optic probe is initially applied to the thyroid gland to record a “baseline” for the device. This will take approximately 10 seconds. The probe will subsequently be used on tissue that is thought to be parathyroid tissue. The use of the PTeye would be expected to add another 5 minutes to the operative time. WHO WILL DELIVER: Endocrine surgeons as Alfred Health TRAINING Surgeons have been provided training by the inventor of the device from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. The Principal Investigator has also spent time at Vanderbilt University with a surgeon who has had the greatest experience in the use of the PTeye. MODE OF DELIVERY: The intervention will occur with an individual surgeon and patient at the time they are undergoing the relevant endocrine operation. NUMBER OF TIMES: Approximately 6 times per week, dependent on the individual surgeon’s schedule LOCATION OF INTERVENTION: Alfred Hospital operating theatres