Green light during surgery may spare patients from lifetime of pills

This study tests whether using a special dye (indocyanine green) during total thyroidectomy helps surgeons see and protect the parathyroid glands, reducing the risk of permanent hypoparathyroidism. About 242 adults scheduled for total thyroid removal will be randomly assigned to receive the dye or standard care. The main goal is to see if fewer patients develop dangerously low calcium levels within 48 hours after surgery, which could prevent the need for lifelong medication.