[Results of systematic subtotal parathyroidectomy with thymectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation - 70 patients].
BACKGROUND
Due to the relatively small number of patients involved, there is currently no consensus on what operation should be performed in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the 70 patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism who all underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy with transcervical thymectomy in the same institution between 1978 and 2003.


RESULTS
The delay between transplantation and parathyroidectomy was 4,1+/-4,3 years. Follow up was available for all patients. Mean follow-up was 5,6+/-5 years. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 53+/-21 ml/min at parathyroidectomy and 42+/-29 ml/min at follow-up [<30 ml/min in 26 patients (37%), 30 - 60 ml/min in 25 patients (36%) et>60 ml/min in 19 patients (27%)]. One patient was successfully reoperated for persistent tertiary hyperparathyroidism during follow-up. No patient was hypercalcemic at follow-up. Four patients with a GFR<30 ml/min had a PTH level>fourfold normal values (6%) without signs or symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. One patient was hypocalcemic (1,5%) and two patients were normocalcemic with undetectable or infranormal PTH level (3%) under oral vitamin D and calcium medication.


CONCLUSIONS
This approach permits not only to cure the majority of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism but also to avoid recurrence when the renal function declines. When medical management has failed, we recommend systematic subtotal parathyroidectomy with thymectomy for patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism and this should usually be performed during the second year after transplantation.
Triponez
F
F
Service de Chirurgie Générale et Endocrinienne, CHRU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France.
Dosseh
D
D
Hazzan
M
M
Noel
C
C
Vanhille
P
P
Fleury
D
D
Lemaitre
V
V
Wambergue
F
F
Tacquet
A
A
Proye
C A G
CA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome