title: Parathyroid surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism: an update.
abstract: The best approach to parathyroid removal in primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is still a major topic in neck surgery. The present report reviews our experiences with 71 patients operated by parathyroidectomy (PTX) between 1978 and 1987. Preoperative computed tomography, sonographic and double-tracer subtraction scanning examination allowed a precise assessment of the number and the topography of the diseased glands. Consequently, 65 patients underwent partial "selective" PTX, with removal of one or two glands, while 6 patients underwent subtotal PTX. The surgical results can be summarized as follows: full success in 67 cases (94.4%); persistent hypercalcemic syndrome in 3 cases (4.2%); recurrence of HPT in 1 case (1.4%). One case of persistent hypercalcemia was solved by reoperation. Thus, the total success rate was definitively assessed at 95.8%. As a complication of surgery a long-lasting postoperative hypocalcemic syndrome was observed in only 2 patients following subtotal parathyroidectomy. Our overall findings show that an attentive preoperative study by means of modern imaging techniques usually allows a "selective" partial PTX with good results and a low risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Civil Regional Hospital, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piemonte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bacchi
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000601:surgery; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation