Title:The Potential Role of Carbon Nanoparticles in Lymph Node Tracing, Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Identification and Parathyroid Preservation During Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review
Volume: 27
Issue: 21
Author(s): Eleftherios Spartalis*, Alexios Giannakodimos, Dimitrios I. Athanasiadis, Dimosthenis Chrysikos, Stavroula A. Paschou, Dimitrios Schizas, Nikolaos Patelis, Themistoklis Papasilekas, Konstantinos Themistoklis, Michael Spartalis, Theodore Troupis and Nikolaos Nikiteas
Affiliation:
- 2nd Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens,Greece
Keywords:
Carbon nanoparticles, complications, lymph nodes, parathyroid glands, recurrent laryngeal nerve, thyroidectomy.
Abstract:
Background/Objective: Carbon nanoparticles (CNs) are a novel injected suspension used during thyroidectomy
in order to black stain the thyroid gland and the lymph nodes while maintaining the anatomic color
of the parathyroid glands and the laryngeal nerves. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the benefits
of carbon nanoparticles in thyroid surgical procedures and examine their role in lymph node tracing,
parathyroid preservation, and recurrent laryngeal nerve protection.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature in the PubMed/Medline database was performed. Articles reporting
randomized clinical trials, prospective, and retrospective studies that compared the use of carbon nanoparticles
in one group of patients with a control-blank group were included. The article was reported in accordance
with PRISMA guidelines (CRD42021243015).
Results: The search strategy retrieved 22 studies of the literature. Fourteen studies calculated a greater number
of lymph nodes detected/dissected in the central neck zone to the patients using CN solution and 1 article noted
a higher rate of lymph nodes resected in the lateral neck zone in the same group of patients. A significant increase
in the number of metastatic lymph nodes retrieved in the CN group was found in 7 studies. Twenty-one
studies suggested that the use of CNs for the protection of the parathyroid glands was beneficial. Transient hypoparathyroidism
and transient hypocalcemia were presented with a significantly lower incidence in the CN
group in 13 and in 8 studies, respectively.
Conclusion: Carbon nanoparticles may improve both central and lateral neck dissection and enhance parathyroid
gland identification and preservation.
