Video-assisted parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: a new approach involving a skin-lifting method.
BACKGROUND
Recent advances have allowed the performance of parathyroidectomy as an endoscopic procedure. Carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation can be used to create a working space in the anterior neck, but it has been associated with a number of complications. We have devised a skin-lifting method to overcome these problems.


METHODS
Eleven consecutive patients underwent video-assisted parathyroidectomy. Preoperative imaging revealed a solitary adenoma in all 11 cases. A 3-cm oblique incision was made below the clavicle, and a 5-mm incision was made on the lateral neck. After the skin was lifted, video-assisted parathyroidectomy was performed.


RESULTS
Surgery required 186 +/- 50 min. No conversions to conventional cervicotomy were needed. Levels of serum calcium and intact parathormone decreased significantly in all patients on postoperative day 1. Laryngeal recurrent nerve paresis and seroma were noted in one patient each.


CONCLUSIONS
Our procedure eliminates any potential CO2 problems and offers the advantages of direct manipulation and improved cosmesis. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy should be considered a viable option for the surgical treatment of a solitary adenoma.
Okido
M
M
Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University 3-1-1, Maidashi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. okido@surg1.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp, mok@cmail.plala.or.jp
Shimizu
S
S
Kuroki
S
S
Yokohata
K
K
Uchiyama
A
A
Tanaka
M
M
D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery