Parathyroid Surgery, including Outpatient Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroid Diseases

• Primary hyperparathyroidism
• Secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism
• Parathyroid carcinoma
• Re-operative parathyroid surgery
• Parathyroid localization
• MEN1 Syndrome
• MEN2A Syndrome
• Familial Hyperparathyroidism

The parathyroid glands are usually four pea-sized glands which are typically located next to the thyroid gland in the neck. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which controls the level of calcium in the body.

Hyperparathyroidism

In patients with hyperparathyroidism, one or more parathyroid glands become enlarged and make too much parathyroid hormone. This causes the levels of calcium to rise in the blood. Hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed by testing blood calcium and blood PTH levels, as well as using a sestamibi scan to locate an enlarged parathyroid gland.

Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy (MIP)

This surgery is performed under local anesthesia with a small incision to remove the enlarged parathyroid gland. While removing the gland, the surgeon talks with the patient to ensure that the recurrent laryngeal nerve is not affected by the surgery. After removal of the gland, and while the patient is still under anesthesia, the surgeon performs a blood assay to check the patient's parathyroid hormone level in the operating room. This blood test will allow the surgeon to confirm that all enlarged parathyroid glands have been removed before the patient leaves the operating room. Most patients go home the same day of surgery.