Parathyroid Surgery

Overview

‍Parathyroidectomy is the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands, which are small glands located near the thyroid that regulate calcium levels in the body. This procedure is commonly performed to treat hyperparathyroidism, a condition where the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to elevated calcium levels.

This surgery requires experience more than almost any endocrine surgery. Experience can be the difference between hours in the operating room and the need for a repeat surgery. In general, you want a surgeon who has performed thousands of these procedures to ensure that you are getting the best outcome.

Procedure

‍There are several surgical approaches to parathyroid surgery, including minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) and traditional open surgery. In minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, the surgeon makes a smaller incision in the neck and focuses on only a single parathyroid gland while using intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels (which adjust within minutes) to confirm cure. Traditional open surgery involves a larger incision and may be necessary if multiple glands need to be examined or removed.

Usually, parathyroid surgery can also be done without a visible scar. This is something that is offered at only a handful of centers around the world, including the Russell Center. Scarless parathyroid surgery is one of our specialties, and there are no surgeons in the United States who have done more than Dr Russell.

Parathyroid surgery can be done under general anesthesia, twilight anesthesia, or local anesthesia.

Benefits and Risks

‍Parathyroidectomy is highly effective in treating hyperparathyroidism and can result in immediate normalization of calcium levels. This helps patients to feel better, but more importantly it helps them to avoid future injury to their bones or kidneys. Benefits of the minimally invasive approach include a shorter recovery time, reduced risk of complications, and minimal scarring. Potential risks of the procedure include damage to surrounding tissues, such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and complications related to anesthesia. The greatest risk of parathyroid surgery, however, is removing too much or too little parathyroid tissue. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you in detail before the procedure.

Recovery and Follow-Up

‍Recovery from parathyroidectomy varies depending on the surgical approach used. Minimally invasive surgery typically involves a shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activities. A drain is usually not needed. Pain and swelling in the neck are common and can be managed with pain relief medications. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor calcium levels and ensure the success of the surgery.