Primary hyperparathyroidism: new options for surgical management

• Published in: Endocrine practice Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 313 - 317
• Main Author: Baskin , Jr, H J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Limited 01.07.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism - diagnosis; Hyperparathyroidism - epidemiology; Hyperparathyroidism - surgery; Male; Parathyroidectomy - methods
• ISSN: 1530-891X; 1934-2403
• DOI: 10.4158/ep.7.4.313

Currently in western countries, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) affects more than 1 person per 1,000 population; it is more prevalent in those older than 40 years than in younger people and more common in women than in men. Most patients with PHP have no overt clinical symptoms and are identified only when abnormal laboratory values suggest a diagnosis of PHP. The aim of a parathyroidectomy is to remove the overactive parathyroid tissue. Historically, an extensive neck exploration to examine all parathyroid tissue has been an integral part of the standard operative cure for this disease. The reason for this approach is that the exact cause of a patient's excess parathyroid hormone remains unknown until the surgeon diagnoses either adenoma or hyperplasia by histopathologic examination. In more than 80% of patients, the cause is found to be a single adenoma, but in cases of multiple adenoma or four-gland hyperplasia, all parathyroid tissue is removed.