Our initial experiences related to gamma probe use in completion thyroidectomy

In this study twenty two differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) case performed completion thyroidectomy between June 2008 and October 2010 in Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital were examined prospectively and surgical results of gamma probe were observed. Patients who had less then total thyroidectomy in their first operations with DTC pathology reports, went through gamma probe supported completion thyroidectomy, gamma probe efficiency was examined. In preoperative period, mean TSH value was identified as 1.48 mIU/l. 0.1mCi liquid I-131 was given to the patients after minimum 2 hours of starvation period one day before the day of surgery. All the areas where there was a signal over the background values were resected out from thyroid channel. While mean background radiation value was 24.04 cps (2-49) and mean basal radiation value of thyroid lodge was 753.09 cps (29-5156), after resection mean radiation value of thyroid lodge was measured as 13.4 cps (1-47). Postoperative TSH blood level before suppression therapy was measured as 52.86 mIU/l average. In post operative period all patients' (100%) thyroglobulin levels decreased. In the operations supported by gamma probe, we did not observe any increase in complication rates compared to literature. These results suggest that completion total thyroidectomy with gamma probe makes post operative treatment and follow up easier by providing more efficient surgical resection, and also completion thyroidectomy with gamma probe is the most efficient method in avoiding recurrences.