Comparing Preoperative and Intraoperative Carbon Nanoparticle Injection in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Cancer Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the best timing for injecting carbon nanoparticles during thyroid cancer surgery to improve surgical outcomes. This study focuses on patients with papillary thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy, comparing preoperative and intraoperative carbon nanoparticle injections. Carbon nanoparticles have been shown to help identify parathyroid glands and lymph nodes, potentially reducing common complications like hypoparathyroidism and nerve injury that affect patients' quality of life after surgery. However, standardized guidelines on the timing, dose, and injection methods are lacking, and this study aims to provide data to support clinical use. The study evaluates two approaches: injecting carbon nanoparticles 2 to 6 hours before surgery using ultrasound-guided fine needle puncture, and injecting them during surgery directly into normal thyroid tissue. In the preoperative group, 0.4 mL total is injected into two sites on each gland shortly before surgery. In the intraoperative group, the same dose is given into two sites on each thyroid lobe after exposing the thyroid during surgery. Both methods use careful injection techniques to minimize nanoparticle leakage. Participants will be monitored up to three years after surgery, with data collected on tumor size and location, hormone levels, vocal cord function, operation duration, lymph node removal, bleeding, and postoperative complications such as pain, nerve injury, and hospital stay length. Researchers will assess the effects of nanoparticle injection timing on surgical quality and patient outcomes to improve treatment for thyroid cancer. This is a phase 3 study including patients aged 16 to 80 years.

A Clinical Study on the Benefits of Carbon Nanoparticles Injection Time in Patients With Thyroid Cancer.