Can parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism be carried out as a day-case procedure?
BACKGROUND
Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism has traditionally involved a bilateral neck exploration performed as an in-patient procedure. We present a feasibility study to demonstrate whether, with a focused surgical exploration, the procedure can be carried out as a day case.


METHODS
Eighty-seven patients had pre-operative sestamibi and ultrasound scans of the neck. When the results of these scans agreed, a unilateral neck exploration was carried out.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven patients received a focused approach parathyroidectomy. Ninety-seven per cent of these patients were normocalcaemic after the first operation. All patients who fitted the day-case criteria left hospital the following morning.


CONCLUSIONS
When pre-operative imaging results agree, a parathyroidectomy can be carried out using a unilateral neck exploration, avoiding the increased risks associated with a bilateral exploration.


CONCLUSIONS
Parathyroidectomy can be safely carried out as a day-case procedure in selected patients.
Carr
E R M
ER
Department of Endocrine Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK. esmond@doctors.org.uk
Contractor
K
K
Remedios
D
D
Burke
M
M
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008131:London; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013667:Technetium; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013667:Technetium