IMPORTANCEIntraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) is a surgical adjunct that has been increasingly used during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP). Despite its growing popularity, to our knowledge a meta-analysis comparing MIP with ioPTH vs MIP without ioPTH has not yet been conducted. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of MIP with ioPTH for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.DATA SOURCES A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Collaboration was performed to identify studies that compared MIP with and without ioPTH. Data were analyzed between August and September 2019.STUDY SELECTION Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials and observational studies with a retrospective/prospective design, comparing MIP using ioPTH vs MIP not using ioPTH for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Eligible studies had to present odds ratio (OR), risk ratio, or hazard ratio estimates (with 95% CI), standard errors, or number of events necessary to calculate these for the outcome of interest rate. Studies involving patients with secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism or those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome were excluded.DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently reviewed the literature according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Dichotomous variables were pooled as ORs while continuous variables were compared using weighted mean differences. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe primary outcome was rate of cure. Secondary outcomes included need for reoperation, need for bilateral neck exploration, morbidity, and length of surgery. RESULTS A total of 12 studies, involving 2290 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, were eligible for inclusion. The median (SD) age of participants was 60.1 (11.8) years and 77.3% of participants were women. The median Newcastle-Ottawa score was 7. Patients who underwent MIP with ioPTH had higher cure rates (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 2.12-7.10; P < .001). There was a greater need for reoperation in the group of patients who had surgery without ioPTH (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.86; P = .02). There was a trend toward longer operating times/increased duration of surgery in the ioPTH group; however, this did not reach statistical significance (weighted mean difference, 21.62 minutes; 95% CI, −0.93 to 44.17 minutes; P = .06). The use of ioPTH was associated with higher rates of bilateral neck exploration (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.27-9.92; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEUse of ioPTH is associated with higher cure rates for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing MIP. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy performed without ioPTH is associated with less conversion to bilateral neck exploration at initial surgery but with lower cure rates and an increased risk for reoperation.

IMPORTANCEPostoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) facilitates the early detection of recurrence and represents an adjuvant therapy that targets persistent microscopic disease. The optimal activity of RAI in low-and intermediate-risk DTC remains controversial. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cure rate of different RAI activities in low-and intermediate-risk DTC. Secondary outcomes included successful remnant ablation, adverse effects, and hospital length of stay. DATA SOURCE A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared long-term outcomes (>12 months) for American Thyroid Association-classified low-and intermediate-risk DTC based on receipt of either low-activity or high-activity RAI postoperatively.STUDY SELECTION All RCTs or observational studies evaluating patients with low-and intermediate-risk DTC who were treated initially with total/near-total thyroidectomy, followed by remnant RAI ablation with either low or high activities. Eligible studies had to present odds ratio, relative risk (RR), or hazard ratio estimates (with 95% CIs), standard errors, or the number of events necessary to calculate these for the outcome of interest rate.DATA EXTRACTION Two investigators reviewed the literature in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios and continuous data as weighted-mean differences. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scales.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Disease recurrence was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included successful ablation, adverse effects, and length of stay. RESULTSTen studies that included 3821 patients met inclusion criteria, including 6 RCTs and 4 observational studies. There was no difference in long-term cure recurrence rates (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.62-1.27, P = .50) or successful remnant ablation (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87-1.03; P = .20) between low-activity and high-activity RAI. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, low-activity RAI was comparable with high-activity RAI regarding successful ablation and recurrence rates. This suggests that low-activity RAI is preferable to high-activity in low-and intermediate-risk DTC because of its similar efficacy but reduced morbidity.

The extent to which Nocon et al 1 likely overestimate the direct costs of surveillance imaging is a function of both servicemix and payer-mix. Though we support evidence-based strategies to promote high-value care, we believe readers should interpret their estimates of potential cost savings with caution.

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