Heterotopic thyroid autotransplantation: A preliminary clinical study.

Abstract

Thyroid autotransplantation offers an attractive alternative to subtotal thyroidectomy and replacement therapy. However, it has not been sufficiently clinically investigated. Total thyroidectomy was performed for 20 patients with benign thyroid disorders, and at least 10 g of thyroid tissue were implanted intramuscularly. Graft monitoring was achieved through ^99m Tc scan at 2 months, free triiodothyronine (FT3), FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measurements at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months postoperatively, and clinical examination. Grafts survived and gradually functioned in all patients to a variable extent after a latent period (mean ^99m Tc uptake = 1.28 ± 0.37%). Mean values for FT3, FT4, TSH at 12 months were 1.75 ± 0.48 pg/mL, 1.06 ± 0.26 ng/dL, and 28.08 ± 34.01 μIU/mL respectively. Thyroid autotransplantation restored euthyroid status in 33.3% of patients after 12 months. A role of age, operative time, and ^99m Tc-uptake in determining the final graft outcome is possible.