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King’s College London Hospital in Dubai Introduces Breakthrough Technology for Safer Thyroid Surgery – News
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King’s College London Hospital in Dubai Introduces Breakthrough Technology for Safer Thyroid Surgery – News

King’s College Hospital Dubai is proud to announce the introduction of a revolutionary new technology in thyroid surgery, which has been used for the first time in the UAE: the PTeye Near-Infrared Autofluorescence (NIRAF) detection system. This state-of-the-art technology enables easier identification and preservation of the parathyroid glands, reducing the risk of postoperative complications in patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid procedures.

Published: Friday, November 1, 2024, 3:46 p.m

Thyroidectomy, a common surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland, often carries the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia, a condition caused by accidental damage or removal of the parathyroid glands. This condition can lead to acute symptoms such as neuromuscular irritability, muscle spasms and spasms, as well as long-term effects including ectopic calcifications, parkinsonism, cataracts, and cardiac complications. Although transient in most cases, permanent hypocalcemia may occur in up to 10% of patients, making accurate identification of the parathyroid glands crucial.


The parathyroid glands are small and often difficult to identify because of their proximity to the thyroid and their similarity in appearance to the surrounding tissues. This challenge is compounded in cases involving thyroid cancer or re-operations where scar tissue can obscure the glands, making their identification a complex task even for experienced surgeons.

Dr. Roberto Puxeddu, head and neck ENT surgeon at King’s College Hospital, Dubai, expressed his satisfaction with the new PTeye system, stating: “The ability to accurately identify the parathyroid glands in real time during surgery is a significant advance . the system has proven to be highly effective in our complex thyroid and parathyroid procedures, helping us preserve these delicate structures and reduce the risk of post-surgical complications.”




Traditional techniques for identifying the parathyroid glands, such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and MRI, are usually performed preoperatively and do not provide real-time guidance during surgery. Intraoperative methods such as parathyroid hormone dosing and methylene blue infusion have limitations in sensitivity and accuracy. Instead, the PTeye system uses near-infrared autofluorescence to detect the parathyroid glands without the need for dyes or contrast agents. This dye-free real-time detection system provides an accuracy rate of over 92%, helping surgeons preserve the glands and their delicate vascular structures during surgery.

The introduction of the PTeye system at King’s College Hospital in Dubai marks a significant milestone in the field of thyroid and parathyroid surgery, providing patients with safer and more efficient procedures. The hospital continues to lead in medical innovation, bringing world-class care to the UAE.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact King’s College Hospital London in Dubai.