Parathyroid damage and inadvertent excision unfortunately happens frequently in thyroid surgery. The use of near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) intraoperatively, seems to be helpful in terms of parathyroid identification and preservation.

In order to cover every aspect of the impact of NIRAF in thyroid surgery, an evaluation in low-volume, non-parathyroid centers is needed:

Aim: To investigate the impact of NIRAF on hemithyroidectomy by evaluating parathyroid identification, damage and the rate of inadvertent parathyroid excision in a low-volume, non-parathyroid institution.

Patients referred for hemithyroidectomy will be randomized to either:

(A) NIRAF-assisted hemithyroidectomy (Fluobeam LX) or (B) Conventional hemithyroidectomy. PTH and ionized calcium will assessed preoperatively, on postoperative day 1 (POD1) and one month following surgery. Parathyroid identification rates, rates of autoimplantation and inadvertently excised parathyroid glands will be assessed and compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients referred for thyroid lobectomy
• Age > 18
• Able to understand patient information
• Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Completion lobectomy
• Need for accelerated surgery
• Age < 18
• Unable to understand patient information
• Unable to give informed consent

Patients and related health care staff will be blinded for the allocated intervention until the day of surgery