Parathyroidectomy

Template:Short description Template:Infobox medical intervention (new) Parathyroidectomy is the surgical removal of one or more of the (usually) four parathyroid glands. This procedure is used to remove an adenoma or hyperplasia of these glands when they are producing excessive parathyroid hormoneTemplate:Nbsp(PTH), a condition termed [[hyperparathyroidism|Template:Shy]]. The glands are usually four in number and located adjacent to the posterior surface of the thyroid gland, but their exact location is variable. When an elevated Template:AbbrTemplate:Nbsplevel is found, a sestamibi scan or an ultrasound may be performed in order to confirm the presence and location of abnormal parathyroid tissue.

Indications

The main indication for parathyroidectomy is [[primary hyperparathyroidism|primary Template:Shy]], a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands produce excessive parathyroid hormone. Not all cases of primary Template:Shy require surgery, but it is recommended if the condition causes significant symptoms or if it affects the kidneys ([[nephrocalcinosis|Template:Shy]]) or bone health ([[osteoporosis|Template:Shy]]), and also in people underTemplate:Nbsp50 even if they do not have symptoms.Template:Zwj<ref name="AAES">Template:Cite journal</ref> It is not always possible to anticipate if a parathyroid tumor is malignant (i.e. capable of invading other tissues or spreading elsewhere). Any suspicion of parathyroid carcinoma is therefore also an indication for surgery.Template:Zwj<ref name="AAES" />

Parathyroidectomy may also be required in [[secondary hyperparathyroidism|secondary Template:Shy]]. This situation arises mainly in people with severe chronic kidney diseaseTemplate:Nbsp(CKD) in which the parathyroid glands are overactive to compensate for the low calcium ([[hypocalcemia|Template:Shy]]) and vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency) levels often present inTemplate:NbspTemplate:Abbr. In many cases, the parathyroid hormone production improves when these abnormalities are treated with medication. A small proportion, however, have persistently raised hormone levels six months after treatment has started, thought to be autonomous production of hormone by the glands and loss of feedback mechanisms. In this situation surgical Template:Shy may be required, especially if calcium and phosphate levels remain elevated (respectively, [[hypercalcemia|Template:Shy]] and [[hyperphosphatemia|Template:Shy]]), there is calcium deposition in the wall of blood vessels (calciphylaxis in severe cases) or there is worsening bone disease. In people on kidney dialysis, Template:Shy can improve survival. It does appear that the procedure may be underused.Template:Zwj<ref name="Lau2018">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Procedure

The operation requires general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free) or local anesthesia (pain-free). The surgeon makes an incision around Template:ConvertTemplate:Nbsplong in the neck just under the larynx ("Adam's apple"), and locates the offending Template:Nowr Template:Shy testing using sestamibi scanning can help identify the location of glands. It can also be used to limit the extent of surgical exploration when used in conjunction with Template:Shy parathyroid hormoneTemplate:Nbsp(PTH) monitoring.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The particular problem or Template:Nowr will determine how many of the parathyroid glands are removed. Some parathyroid tissue must be left in place to help prevent [[hypoparathyroidism|Template:Shy]].

Recovery after the operation tends to be swift. The Template:AbbrTemplate:Nbsplevel is back to normal within 10 to 15Template:Nbspminutes, and can be confirmed by intraoperative rapid assessment during the operation. However, the remaining Template:Nowr may take hours to several weeks to return to their normal functioning levels (as they may have become dormant). Calcium supplements are therefore often required to prevent symptoms of hypocalcemia and to restore lost bone mass.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The patient is placed in a semi-Fowler position and the neck is extended. An abbreviated Kocher incision is made and the platysma muscle is dissected horizontally. The strap muscles are released off of the thyroid gland. Then the thyroid gland is mobilized and the parathyroid arterial Template:Nowr is Template:Nowr The entire parathyroid adenoma is identified and dissected out. Template:Shy Template:AbbrTemplate:Nbspmonitoring can begin at this time and will show falling Template:AbbrTemplate:Nbsplevels if the entire adenoma has been resected.Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Complications

While mild hypocalcemia is common after partial Template:Shy, some people experience persistently prolonged low calcium levels. This is called Template:Vanchor. In such a scenario, despite Template:Shy of unresected Template:Nowr producing normal-to-elevated levels of parathyroid hormone, serum calcium continues to be low. The balance between calcium influx and efflux within the bone continues to be disrupted, favoring the former. The bone is said to be "hungry" as it consumes minerals without regard to parathyroid hormone levels; calcium, magnesium, and phosphate continue to be deposited into the bones, resulting in ongoing [[hypocalcemia|Template:Shy]], [[hypomagnesemia|Template:Shy]], and [[hypophosphatemia|Template:Shy]]. Prolonged calcium supplementation may be required. Hungry bone syndrome is particularly common in people who are on long-term kidney dialysis.Template:Zwj<ref name="Lau2018" />Template:Zwj<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

See also

• Parathyroid disease
• Parathyroid hormone
• Thyroidectomy
• Vocal cord paresisTemplate:Snd potential surgical complication
• List of surgeries by type

References

<references />

External links

• Template:MedlinePlusEncyclopedia
• ParathyroidTemplate:Snd AAES Endocrine Disease Patient Education Website, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons