BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore a new method to identify and protect parathyroid glands in neck lymph node dissection for patients with thyroid cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with thyroid cancer underwent total thyroidectomy combined with central neck lymph node dissection. During the operation, 50 patients receiving nano-carbon suspension were included in the experiment group, and 50 patients without nano-carbon suspension were included in the control group. We compared changes in parathyroid hormone levels before surgery and at 48 h after surgery between the 2 groups and of serum Ca^2+ level within 48 h after surgery, as well as postoperative parathyroid pathological and lymph node dissection results.

RESULTS: Eight and 1 parathyroid glands were detected pathologically in the control and experimental group, respectively. Decrease in parathyroid hormone level at 48 h occurred in 7 patients in the control group and 1 patient in the experimental group. Hypocalcemia was found at 48 h after surgery in 10 patients in the control group and 2 patients in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS: Nano-carbon suspension can cause development of the thyroid gland and the central lymph node and a negative development of parathyroid glands. Careful identification and removal of black-stained lymphatic tissues in the process of total thyroidectomy with neck lymph node dissection can ensure a complete lymph node dissection and prevent parathyroid damage, thus effectively reducing the incidence of hypoparathyroidism.

Keywords: Carbon - chemistry, Lymph Node Excision - methods, Nanostructures, Parathyroid Glands - pathology, Thyroid Neoplasms - surgery, young adult