Near-infrared autofluorescence versus visual identification during parathyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical outcomes
- 1Lambe Institute of Translational Research, University of Galway , ,
Abstract
Introduction: Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) is an emerging adjunctive tool that facilitates intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands. Although it has shown promise in the setting of thyroidectomy, its role in parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains unclear.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Four databases were searched to identify studies comparing NIRAF with conventional visual identification of parathyroid glands during parathyroidectomy. The primary outcome was cure rates and secondary outcomes included operative time and the number of parathyroid glands identified. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane RoB2 and the Newcastle-Ottawa tools. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model.
Results: Three studies comprising of 522 patients were included: randomized controlled trials and one observational cohort study. Meta-analysis showed a non-significant improvement in cure rates with NIRAF (RR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, p = 0.21). Mean operative time was reduced by 2.1 minutes with NIRAF (95% CI -4.76-9.0, p = 0.55) and the mean number of parathyroid glands identified increased by 0.12 per patient (95% CI -0.21-0.46, p = 0.46). Neither of the secondary outcomes reached statistical significance. Heterogeneity was moderate to high across the outcomes.
Conclusion: Although NIRAF has proved promising in the setting of thyroidectomy, in the setting of parathyroidectomy for PHPT it did not offer statistically significant improvements in surgical outcomes. While the technology appears safe and promising, its impact on cure rates remains uncertain. Larger, high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are warranted to define the role of NIRAF in parathyroid surgery more clearly.
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BibTeX
@article{collins2026nearinfrared,
title = {{Near-infrared autofluorescence versus visual identification during parathyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical outcomes}},
author = {Jack Joseph Collins and Luis Bouz Mkabaah and Eoin Patrick Kerin and James C. Lennon and Ailbhe Kenny and Sami Medani Abd Elwahab and Aoife J. Lowery and Michael J. Kerin},
journal = {Frontiers in endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1875193},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668511},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Near-infrared autofluorescence versus visual identification during parathyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical outcomes
AU - Jack Joseph Collins
AU - Luis Bouz Mkabaah
AU - Eoin Patrick Kerin
AU - James C. Lennon
AU - Ailbhe Kenny
AU - Sami Medani Abd Elwahab
AU - Aoife J. Lowery
AU - Michael J. Kerin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Frontiers in endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1875193
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668511
AB - Introduction: Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) is an emerging adjunctive tool that facilitates intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands. Although it has shown promise in the setting of thyroidectomy, its role in parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains unclear. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Four databases were searched to identify studies comparing NIRAF with conventional visual identification of parathyroid glands during parathyroidectomy. The primary outcome was cure rates and secondary outcomes included operative time and the number of parathyroid glands identified. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane RoB2 and the Newcastle-Ottawa tools. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. Results: Three studies comprising of 522 patients were included: randomized controlled trials and one observational cohort study. Meta-analysis showed a non-significant improvement in cure rates with NIRAF (RR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, p = 0.21). Mean operative time was reduced by 2.1 minutes with NIRAF (95% CI -4.76-9.0, p = 0.55) and the mean number of parathyroid glands identified increased by 0.12 per patient (95% CI -0.21-0.46, p = 0.46). Neither of the secondary outcomes reached statistical significance. Heterogeneity was moderate to high across the outcomes. Conclusion: Although NIRAF has proved promising in the setting of thyroidectomy, in the setting of parathyroidectomy for PHPT it did not offer statistically significant improvements in surgical outcomes. While the technology appears safe and promising, its impact on cure rates remains uncertain. Larger, high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are warranted to define the role of NIRAF in parathyroid surgery more clearly.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -