Ep. 200 Identifying Parathyroid Glands: Challenges and Innovations with Dr. Michael Singer

BackTable ENT

Can technology improve the accuracy of parathyroid tissue identification during surgery? In this episode of Backtable ENT Podcast, Dr. Gopi Shah and Dr. Ashley Agan welcome Dr. Michael Singer, an otolaryngologist specializing in minimally invasive parathyroid and thyroid surgery at Henry Ford Health in Michigan.

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This podcast is supported by:

Medtronic ENT

https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/healthcare-professionals/medical-specialties/ear-nose-throat.html?cmpid=Vanity_URL_MIX_medtronicent-com_202212_US_EN_NS_ENT_FY23

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SYNPOSIS

First, Dr. Singer discusses various aspects of identifying parathyroid glands during surgery, differentiating between hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia, and the impact of concurrent thyroid disease on patient outcomes. He highlights the importance of continuous improvement and being open to new technologies, specifically the use of autofluorescence and fluorescence imaging to enhance surgical accuracy and patient safety. The conversation also addresses the practical applications of these technologies, including the Medtronic PTeye parathyroid detection system, and their potential to change the approach to thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Singer emphasizes the importance of being honest with oneself as a surgeon in order to improve skills and provide the best care for patients.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

04:37 - Challenges in Identifying Parathyroid Glands

12:14 - Preoperative Workup and Imaging

16:41 - Understanding Hypoparathyroidism and Hypocalcemia

23:25 - Surgical Techniques and Identifying Parathyroid Glands

33:48 - New Technologies in Parathyroid Surgery

43:15 - Challenges and Benefits of New Surgical Technologies

44:49 - Practical Applications and Personal Experiences

59:33 - Impact of Technology on Surgical Practices

01:08:40 - Final Thoughts and Continuous Learning

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RESOURCES

BackTable+ for ENT

https://plus.backtable.com/pages/ent

Dr. Singer’s profile

https://www.henryford.com/physician-directory/s/singer-michael