The use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery

• Published in: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Vol. 98; no. 7; pp. 516 - 519
• Main Authors: Helbrow, J, Owais, A E, Sidwell, A G, Frank, L M, Lucarotti, M E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.09.2016; Royal College of Surgeons
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcium - blood; Endocrine Surgery; Female; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism - surgery; Localization; Male; Middle Aged; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; Monitoring, Intraoperative - methods; Operative Time; Parathyroid Glands - surgery; Parathyroid Hormone - blood; Patients; Radiology; Retrospective Studies; Success; Surgeons; Surgery; Thyroid gland; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Parathyroid adenoma; Endocrine disorder; Parathyroid hormone; Minimally invasive
• ISSN: 0035-8843; 1478-7083
• DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2016.0201

Introduction Surgery is the first-line management option for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) is now preferable but few centres offer this service, mainly because of lack of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) testing. The aim of this study was to identify whether the measurement of IOPTH in patients having minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for pHPT alters their management. Methods A retrospective review was carried out of 78 consecutive patients who underwent parathyroid surgery by a single surgeon with a special interest in parathyroid surgery. The clinical impact of IOPTH monitoring was recorded postoperatively in a timely manner. Serum adjusted calcium levels were checked preoperatively (on admission) and one month postoperatively; normalisation was considered a cure. Results In the setting of curative MIP, IOPTH measurement did not influence the management in any of the patients but it could have led to bilateral parathyroid exploration (BPE) in three instances. Similarly, in cases that required lengthening of the MIP incision, IOPTH results did not influence patient management although it could have led to BPE in one case. Conclusion MIP offers an effective cure for patients with hyperparathyroidism. The addition of IOPTH testing adds increased expense, operating time and risk to patients otherwise suitable for MIP.