[Obligatory parathyroid autotransplantation in thyroid surgery].

In a series of 301 bilateral thyroidectomies carried out over a 6 month period, immediate parathyroid autotransplantation was performed in 44 patients, i.e. 14.6%. Hypoparathyroidism was transient in 14 patients, i.e. 4.7% but was permanent in 4 patients, i.e. 1.3%. We attempted to determine the conditions justifying parathyroid autotransplantation during thyroidectomies. In our opinion parathyroid autotransplantation should be performed only to save a parathyroid gland accidentally removed or devascularized. It should not be used simply as a means of avoiding dissection no matter how long or tedious.