Incidence of parathyroid tissue in level VI neck dissection.

Background: Level VI central neck dissections are commonly completed with thyroidectomy. This procedure involves risk of damage to, or incidental excision of, one or more of the parathyroid glands.

Methods: This study examined the pathology reports of patients undergoing thyroid surgery to determine the incidence of parathyroid tissue associated with level VI neck dissections and the risk factors associated with incidental parathyroidectomy.