ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of probe-based near infrared autofluorescence (AF) technology in the identification and functional protection of parathyroid gland (PG) during endoscopic total thyroidectomy.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the clinical data of 160 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central compartment lymph node dissection due to papillary thyroid carcinoma in Chongqing General Hospital from 1 July 2023 to 31 January 2024. Among them, 80 patients who used probe-based AF technology to identify the PG s were categorized as the AF group, 80 patients who used naked eye (NE) to identify the PGs were categorized as the NE group. The number of PGs identified, inadvertently removed, preserved in situ and autotransplanted, the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, and operative time were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower in the AF group than that of the NE group [21.25% (17/80) vs. 43.75% (35/80), χ2=9.231, P=0.002], with no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism in either group. The AF group had significantly more PGs identified and preserved in situ than the NE group (P<0.05). The AF group had significantly fewer PGs inadvertently removed and autotransplanted than the NE group (P<0.05). The AF group identified the first PG earlier than the NE group (4 min vs. 5 min, P<0.001. But there was no statistically difference in the duration of surgery between the two groups (90 min vs. 94 min, P=0.052). ConclusionThe probe-based near infrared AF technology can help surgeons better identify and protect PGs during surgery, reducing the incidence of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism.