Appropriate timing and velocity of infusion for the selective staining of parathyroid glands by intravenous methylene blue

Sean Traynor, Jeff R. Adams, Peter Andersen, Edwin Everts, James Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative parathyroid gland (PTG) identification by selective staining using methylene blue dye (MB) infusion has been shown effective but the degree of gland staining is inconsistent. METHODS: The effect of timing and rate of MB infusion on gland uptake was investigated in a canine model by infusing MB either rapidly over 3 to 5 minutes (n = 8) or slowly over 30 minutes (n = 4). The pattern of dye uptake in an exposed PTG was determined by standardized serial photography. RESULTS: Earliest uptake occurred between 10 and 20 minutes after infusion, and maximum uptake averaged 21 minutes, earlier than previously described. Rate of infusion did not affect staining. CONCLUSIONS: This rapid uptake of methylene blue by the parathyroid glands suggests that its selective intraoperative use when glands are difficult to locate intraoperatively, rather than a routine preoperative infusion, is possible without significant operative delay. Clinical experience has confirmed this impression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15-17
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican journal of surgery
Volume176
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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