Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy

In the last years, with the aim of reducing operative time and having better cosmetic results, minimally-invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) has become to be extensively performed. Several techniques are available, including video-endoscopic techniques, and radioguided parathyroidectomy. In patients undergoing radio-guided parathyroidectomy receive an intravenous injection of 99mTc-sestamibi 60-90 minutes before the operation was scheduled to start. Four early images are obtained 5 minutes after radiopharmaeutical administration, with the aim of confirming the side and site of the enlarged PT gland. Intraoperative nuclear mapping using a hand-held gamma probe and quantitative gamma camera counting in the four quadrants is obtained. A 2-3 cm incision is made, and the enlarged PT gland excision is guided by the probe, resulting in a decline in radioactivity in the corresponding quadrant. Intraoperative quick PTH is routinely assayed. When the PTH levels at 10 min fail to fall to less than 50% of the preoperative levels, a multiglandular disease should be suspected and a bilateral neck exploration is usually required. MIP is a safe, cost-effective alternative to bilateral exploration, and should be considered the procedure of choice in patients with primary HPT, when preoperative imaging tests have suggested the presence of a PT adenoma. Radioguided MIP may improve the success rate of surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.