[Evaluation of parathyroid function in presternal subcutaneous grafting after total parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism].
BACKGROUND
In the setting of total parathyroidectomy (TPT) and parathyroid transplantation (PTx) for renal hyperparathyroidism (RHP), we evaluated long-term parathyroid graft function after subcutaneous presternal transplantation (SCPTx).


OBJECTIVE
Parathyroid glands are surrounded by fatty tissue. Therefore, we postulated that subcutaneous implantation of parathyroid tissue after TPT for RHP could be at least as effective as intramuscular grafting and would avoid the complications of the latter technique.


METHODS
We performed a study in a university hospital and its dialysis unit.


METHODS
Prospective open efficacy study of a postoperative diagnostic monitoring method of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in a cohort of surgical patients without loss to follow-up.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients (19 women and 16 men) underwent TPT and SCPTx for RHP at the Department of General Surgery and Department of Nephrology, Donostia Hospital, San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain, from January 2002 to December 2005. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 42 months (mean, 15.4 months). Graft function was evaluated by measurement of plasma iPTH levels before surgery and 24 hours and 1, 3, 5, 15, 30, 60, 100 and 150 weeks after surgery. Reference values for PTH in our laboratory were 20-65 pg/mL.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative iPTH values were 1245 +/- 367.9 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 493-2160). After TPT and SCPTx, iPTH levels became undetectable in all patients at 24 hours. A value of 50 pg/mL was established as the criterion for adequate parathyroid graft function. The following values were obtained: 15.54 +/- 10.61 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 6-44) after 1 week, 57.2 +/- 1.9 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 43-74) after 5 weeks, 64.21 +/- 9.73 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 11.3-89) after 15 weeks, 75.12 +/- 9.05 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 24.6-104.2) after 30 weeks, 101.63 +/- 19.85 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 65-143) after 60 weeks, 121.63 +/- 27.85 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 62-179) after 100 weeks, 63 +/- 19.85 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 68-723) after 150 weeks and 102 +/- 18.65 pg/mL (mean +/- SD) (range, 68-113) after 200 weeks. The prevalence of hypoparathyroidism (serum iPTH level of < 20 pg/mL with a normal or low serum calcium concentration) was 2 out of 35 patients (5.71%) by week 60, with recovery of normal values by week 100. Graft-related recurrence occurred in one out of 35 patients (2.85%).


CONCLUSIONS
SCPTx after TPT and PTx for secondary RHP is an adequate method to replace muscular forearm parathyroid transplantation and avoid its complications. The functional results of TPT and SCPTx compare favorably with published data on other surgical techniques proposed for the treatment of RHP. Long-term follow-up of this series is currently being performed.
Echenique-Elizondo
Miguel
M
Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad del País Vasco, San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa), España. gepecelm@sc.ehu.es
Amondarain
José Antonio
JA
Vidaur
Fernando
F
Olalla
Carmen
C
Aribe
Fernando
F
Garrido
Adolfo
A
Molina
José
J
Rodrigo
María Teresa
MT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013909:Thorax