Video-assisted parathyroidectomy in the management of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, different minimally invasive techniques of parathyroidectomy have been described. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the indications and results of video-assisted parathyroidectomy (Vap) in the management of our patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the last 5 years (1998-2002), we operated on 528 patients with PHPT. Vap was proposed for patients with sporadic PHPT, without associated goiter and without previous neck surgery, in whom a single adenoma was localized by means of sonography and/or sestamibi scanning. Vap was performed by lateral approach with insufflation for patients with adenoma located deeply in the neck and by gasless midline approach for patients with adenoma located anteriorly. A quick parathyroid (qPTH) assay was used during the surgical procedures. Calcemia, phosphoremia and PTH were systematically evaluated in patients on days 1 and 8, 1 month and 1 year after surgery. All patients underwent pre-operative and postoperative investigations of vocal cord movements. RESULTS: Among 528 patients with PHPT, 228 (43%) were not eligible for Vap: associated nodular goiter (99 cases), previous neck surgery (42 cases), suspicion of multiglandular disease (25 cases), lack of pre-operative localization (48 cases), and miscellaneous causes (14 cases). Vap was performed in 300 patients with sporadic PHPT: 282 lateral access, 17 midline access and 1 thoracoscopy. Median operative time was 50 min (20-130 min). Conversion to conventional parathyroidectomy was required in 42 patients (14%): missed adenomas (11 cases), difficulties of dissection (7 cases), multiglandular disease correctly predicted by qPTH (10 cases); qPTH assay false negative results (3 cases), sestamibi scan false positive results (10 cases) and 1 sonography false positive result. One patient presented definitive recurrent nerve palsy. One patient had a persistent PHPT and one other patient had a recurrent PHPT. CONCLUSION: Vap can be proposed for more than half of patients with PHPT. In our experience Vap and conventional parathyroidectomy are complementary. Immediate results of Vap are similar to those obtained with conventional parathyroidectomy but no conclusions can be drawn in terms of influence of Vap on the outcome of the patients operated for PHPT.     

Effects of parathyroidectomy on lead mobilization from bone in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Since lead (Pb) accrued from environmental exposure accumulates in bone with a half life time between 6 and 10 years, a release of bone Pb into the circulation and/or urine (PbU) should be expected in diseases with increased bone metabolism such as hyperparathyroidism. We studied 60 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT, 50 women, 10 men, aged 61.4 +/- 10.6 and 64.1 +/- 9.9 years, respectively) (a) before, (b) 1-6 months, and (c) 6-12 months after parathyroidectomy. Besides lead in blood (PbB) and lead in 24-h urine samples (PbU), parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum Ca2+, osteocalcin (OC), phosphate (PO4), and serum pyridinoline cross-linked telopeptide (cTP) were determined. Control data were determined in 20 healthy age-matched subjects. As expected, Ca2+ decreased after parathyroidectomy. Mean PbB in patients with pHPT was in the same range as in controls. A decrease of PbB after parathyroidectomy was found in the interval beyond 6 months. In contrast, mean PbU initially increased after surgery (3.05 +/- 1.94 vs. 4.25 +/- 2.65 microg/l, P = 0.004) and was not different beyond 6 months in comparison with preoperative values at (c). Investigating only patients with PTH < 150 ng/l, no significant PbB or PbU alterations were detected before and after parathyroidectomy. In patients with PTH > 150 ng/l, the decrease of PbB at (c) was more pronounced as was the increase of PbU at (b). In these patients, PbB and OC as well as PbB and cTP were correlated preoperatively. In conclusion, our data show that in environmentally lead-exposed (by food or by pollution) hyperparathyroid individuals, there is no hazardous PbB release from bone. The preoperative correlation between PbB and OC in pHPT patients with PTH > 150 ng/l provides evidence that in fact there is a Pb release from bone into the blood-pool by bone remodeling. The increase of PbU after parathyroidectomy is suspected to be caused by PTH-dependent Pb accumulation in the kidney, which seems to be restored with decreasing PTH. Moreover, our data confirm prior findings that bone remodeling seems to be normalized 6 months after parathyroidectomy.     

Radio-guided parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and concomitant multinodular goiter

Purpose  

We investigated possible instances where the standard bilateral neck exploration for parathyroid adenoma may be omitted in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) if preoperative diagnostics for the location have been performed.     

The effect of parathyroidectomy on bone fracture risk in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy may increase bone density in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), but it is unclear whether fracture risk is decreased. HYPOTHESIS: Parathyroidectomy decreases fracture risk. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with median follow-up of 6.5 years. SETTING: Twelve regional hospitals in California. PATIENTS: One thousand five hundred sixty-nine patients with PHPT. INTERVENTIONS: Parathyroidectomy or observation.Main Outcome Measure Fracture-free survival. RESULTS: Mean initial calcium, parathyroid hormone, and creatinine levels were 11.2 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L), 123.0 pg/mL, and 0.9 mg/dL (79.6 micromol/L), respectively. Parathyroidectomy was performed in 452 (28.8%) patients, and 1117 (71.2%) were observed. The 10-year fracture-free survival after PHPT diagnosis was 73% in patients treated with parathyroidectomy compared with 59% in those observed (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.73; P < .001). Parathyroidectomy decreased the 10-year hip fracture rate by 8% (P = .001) and the upper extremity fracture rate by 3% (P = .02). Parathyroidectomy was independently associated with a decreased fracture risk (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.98), whereas female sex (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.19-2.80) and increased creatinine level (HR per 1-mg/dL [88.4-micromol/L] increment, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.22-3.46) remained independently associated with an increased fracture risk. Age of 50 years or older (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.99-2.66), initial parathyroid hormone level (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.02), and calcium level (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.75-1.37) were not independently associated with fracture risk after adjusting for all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroidectomy is associated with a decreased risk of fracture in PHPT. The largest decrease was in hip fractures. Parathyroidectomy should be considered for all patients with PHPT to reduce fracture risk, regardless of age or calcium or parathyroid hormone levels.     

Video-assisted parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

Background: Recent advances have allowed the performance of parathyroidectomy as an endoscopic procedure. Carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation can be used to create a working space in the anterior neck, but it has been associated with a number of complications. We have devised a skin-lifting method to overcome these problems. Methods: Eleven consecutive patients underwent video-assisted parathyroidectomy. Preoperative imaging revealed a solitary adenoma in all 11 cases. A 3-cm oblique incision was made below the clavicle, and a 5-mm incision was made on the lateral neck. After the skin was lifted, video-assisted parathyroidectomy was performed. Results: Surgery required 186 ± 50 min. No conversions to conventional cervicotomy were needed. Levels of serum calcium and intact parathormone decreased significantly in all patients on postoperative day 1. Laryngeal recurrent nerve paresis and seroma were noted in one patient each. Conclusions: Our procedure eliminates any potential CO2 problems and offers the advantages of direct manipulation and improved cosmesis. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy should be considered a viable option for the surgical treatment of a solitary adenoma.     

Muscle strength is improved after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Fatigue and muscular weakness are prevalent symptoms in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This study examined muscular strength before and after operation in a group of eight patients with hyperparathyroidism and in a control group of seven patients with benign thyroid lesions. The maximum power grip, pronation and supination, and endurance for the same muscular movements, were studied by means of a computer program. Patients with hyperparathyroidism had impaired muscular strength compared with the controls but 12 months after operation a significant improvement of all muscular performance was observed. No such improvement was detectable among the controls. There was no correlation between the levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone and the measurements recorded before and after operation. Muscular impairment in hyperparathyroidism is measurable by an objective technique. Improvement occurs after surgery.     

Results of parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

We have performed 16 operations on 14 patients with primary hyperparathyoidism caused by a solitary parathyroid adenoma in our department between 1st jan. 1990-31 dec. 1999. In each case bilateral neck exploration was carried out. As in one case it was located in ectopic neck position, in the other case papillocarcinoma of the thyroid gland and ectopic parathyroid adenoma in mediastinal position were present, primary hyperparathyroidism persisted, so reoperation was needed. Histological examination proved the presence of adenomin all cases. Diffuse hyperplasia and parathyroid cancer did not occur. Before operation all patients underwent US and seven of them had radionuclide scintigraphy. CT scan aided in its localization with four patients. We did not make use of invasive methods, after the first operation 12 patients showed normal S-Ca levels very quickly. In two cases this level was too high after the operation and reoperation was necessary which resulted in normal Ca levels. Even though the number of our cases is rather modest, all the patients recovered. This may prove that we can successfully cure our patients of modern methods of diagnostics used for meticulous examination alongside with careful preparation of the patients by internal specialists are followed by the standard operative techniques available.     

Decrease in serum uric acid level following parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Serum uric acid levels in 101 patients with surgically treated hyperparathyroidism were studied retrospectively. Twenty-five patients had preoperative hyperuricemia and 8 patients had a history of gout. Preoperatively the serum uric acid level correlated positively with the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, but not with serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone or calcium levels. Following parathyroidectomy the serum uric acid level decreased from a preoperative level of 6.55±0.18 mg/100 ml (mean±S.E.) to 6.05±0.21 mg/100 ml at 1 week to 1 month postoperatively, and the uric acid level remained decreased at 6–18 months postoperatively (5.22±0.31 mg/100 ml). Patients with the highest serum uric acid level seemed to improve most.

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Resumen La asociación entre la hiperuricemia y el hiperparatiroidismo ha sido observada por muchos investigadores desde su descripción original en 1961 por Mainz. Sinembargo, la causa de la hiperuricemia en pacientes hiperparatiroideos, y si los niveles séricos de ácido úrico mejoran después de una paratiroidectomía exitosa, siguen siendo motivo de controversia. Los niveles séricos de ácido urico en 101 pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo tratado quirùrgicamente fueron estudiados en forma retrospectiva. Veinticinco pacientes presentaban hiperuricemia preoperatoria y 8 tenían historia de gota. Preoperatoriamente se observé correlación entre el nivel de ácido úrico y los niveles de nitrógeno ureico sanguíneo y de creatinina, pero no con los nivelés de hormona paratiroidea inmunorreactiva o de calcio. Después de la paratiroidectomía el nivel de ácido urico sérico decreció de un valor preoperatorio de 6.55±0.18 mg/100 ml (promedio±DE) a 6.05±0.21 mg/100 ml entre 1 semana y 1 mes postoperatorios, y el nivel disminuído de ácido úrico se mantuvo a los 6 y a los 18 meses postoperatorios (5.22 ±0.31 mg/100 ml). Los pacientes con los más elevados nivelés de ácido urico aparentemente son los que mayormente se benefician.

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Résumé Les taux d'acide urique dans le sérum ont été étudiés rétrospectivement chez 101 malades qui avaient été traités pour hyperparathyroïdisme. Vingt-cinq d'entre eux présentaient une hyperuricémie préopératoire et 8 des antécédents de goutte. Avant l'intervention existait une corrélation entre le taux d'acide urique sérique et ceux de l'urée sanguine et de la créatinine sérique mais la corrélation faisait défaut avec le taux de l'hormone parathyroïdienne et le calcium. Après la parathyroïdectomie le taux de l'acide urique s'est abaissé de 6.55±0.18 mg/100 ml (moyenne±S.E.) à 6.05±0.21 mg/100 ml de une semaine à un mois après l'intervention puis il est resté bas de 6 à 18 mois après l'intervention (5.22±0.31 mg/100 ml). Les malades qui ont le taux d'acide urique sérique le plus élevé semblent les plus améliorés après l'intervention.

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Presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons in Paris, September 1985.

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Supported in part by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration Medical Center.     

甲状旁腺切除术对肾性继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进患者NLR、PLR的影响

目的 探讨甲状旁腺切除术对肾性继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进(secondary hyperpar-athyroidism,SHPT)患者中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,NLR)、血小板/淋巴细胞比值(platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio,PLR)的影...     

继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进患者术后临床评估

目的探讨继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进患者行甲状旁腺全切除或次全切除术后的预后。方法选择2009年1月至2012年12月在深圳市人民医院行慢性肾替代治疗合并继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症手术治疗后的88例患者进行1~4年随访观察。术中留取血液样本送检测全段甲状旁腺素(immunoreactive parathyroid hormone,iPTH)水平(电化学发光法),根据测定的iPTH水平,由外科医生决定手术方式为次全切除或全切除术。根据手术方法将88例患者分为次全切除组和全切除组。次全切除组64例,男35例,女29例;全切除组24例,男女各12例;比较2组患者术后的复发率及预后。另外根据术后随访及血清iPTH的检测,将88例患者复发分为复发组和未复发组。复发组11例,男6例,女5例;未复发组77例,男41例,女36例;应用Log-rank检验对复发情况进行分析,并对可能影响复发的因素进行分析。结果 88例患者进行了(21±11.3)个月的随访研究,复发患者术后第2天iPTH水平(111.20±81.4)ng/L高于未复发患者iPTH(24.4±35.8)ng/L,2组比较有统计学差异(t=-3.486,P0.01);随访期间次全切除组10人复发,全切除组1人复发,经Log-rank检验不同手术组的未复发率无统计学差异(χ~2=0.33,P=0.57)。全部88例患者术后第12、26、36个月累积未复发率分别为98.8%、91.3%及67.1%。结论维持性透析继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进患者行甲状旁腺全切除或次全切除术后的1~4年内复发率无显著差异,术后患者症状明显改善,术后第二天的iPTH水平可能与复发相关。     

Directed parathyroidectomy: feasibility and performance in 100 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

HYPOTHESIS: Directed parathyroidectomy (DP) can be successfully completed in most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients with untreated, sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism operated on by a single surgeon from April 1, 1999, through December 31, 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Following preoperative imaging with sestamibi scintigraphy and ultrasonography, patients underwent parathyroidectomy with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring using a focused approach through a limited neck incision (DP) or bilateral neck exploration (BNE) through a standard collar incision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent of exploration, operative time, length of stay, morbidity, and cure. RESULTS: Directed parathyroidectomy was completed in 70 patients and BNE in 30. Bilateral neck exploration was performed as the initial procedure in 13 patients and following intraoperative conversion from attempted DP in 17. Indications for predetermined BNE were failed preoperative localization (n = 8) and concomitant thyroid disease that required operative treatment (n = 5). The need for predetermined BNE decreased as preoperative localization improved. Intraoperative factors that necessitated conversion to BNE included persistently elevated intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels that accurately predicted multiglandular disease (n = 6), incorrect localization (n = 5), and inadequate exposure (n = 6). Operative time and length of stay were less for DP compared with BNE patients (66 vs 165 minutes and 0.5 vs 1.6 days, respectively). One patient had a temporary vocal cord paresis. All patients were eucalcemic in follow-up (4 months to 3 years). CONCLUSIONS: With accurate preoperative localization and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring, DP can be successfully completed in most patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Patients benefit from DP, which reduces operative time and length of stay and facilitates rapid convalescence.     

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) is the preferred operation for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and positive preoperative imaging. This non-randomized case series assessed the long-term results of MIP performed without the use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) monitoring. METHODS: The study involved prospective collection of demographic, biochemical and operative details on a consecutive, unselected cohort of 298 patients who underwent surgery for non-familial primary HPT during a 5-year interval. The mean preoperative serum calcium level was 3.00 mmol/l with a mean parathyroid hormone concentration of 25.8 pmol/l. (99m)Tc-labelled sestamibi scanning and neck ultrasonography were performed in 262 patients. RESULTS: Sestamibi scan showed unilateral uptake in 182 patients and a single parathyroid adenoma was confirmed on ultrasonography in 161 patients. MIP was performed in 150 patients. The mean duration of operation was 25 (range 8-65) min. Four patients needed conversion to conventional neck exploration. There was one postoperative haematoma and three cases of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia. All but four patients were normocalcaemic after MIP. All the parathyroid tumours removed were adenomas, with a mean weight of 1.3 (range 0.1-17.4) g. No patient developed recurrent HPT after a median follow-up of 16 (range 3-48) months. CONCLUSION: The outcome of MIP without ioPTH monitoring was comparable to that reported in series that used ioPTH monitoring.     

The effect of parathyroidectomy on chronic constipation in patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is usually associated with chronic constipation; however, its prevalence is not defined by standardized criteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate both the prevalence of chronic constipation, defined by the standardized Rome diagnostic criteria III (Rome III) in PHPT, and the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTx). Fifty postmenopausal PHPT patients and 50 sex- and age-matched controls were studied. Each patient underwent mineral metabolism biochemical evaluation and completed a questionnaire and a 2-week diary card about bowel habits. PHPT patients were reevaluated after 6 months. According to Rome III, 40 % of PHPT patients had chronic constipation compared with 12 % of controls (p = 0.0002). The only difference between constipated PHPT patients (group A, n = 20) and those without constipation (group B, n = 30) was higher mean PTH values (79.9 ± 18.7 ng/l vs. 65.4 ± 26.0 ng/l; p = 0.03), which predicted the presence of constipation (p = 0.004, OR 1.059, CI 1.011–1.059). Forty percent of PHPT patients had undergone PTx. In group A, constipation was resolved in 80 % of patients after PTx compared to none of the same group who had not undergone PTx (p = 0.0007). In group B, 17.6 % of patients who had not undergone PTx became, after 6 months, constipated. According to Rome III, a higher prevalence of chronic constipation in PHPT patients was observed compared with controls. PTH levels predicted constipation. A significant reduction of chronic constipation was reported following successful surgery.     

Recovery pattern of patients with osteitis fibrosa cystica in primary hyperparathyroidism after successful parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: After parathyroidectomy, recovery of osteitis fibrosa cystica, which continues to dominate presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism in India has not been documented objectively. METHODS: We followed up clinical recovery, biochemic markers of bone turnover, bone mineral density, and skeletal radiology in 51 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa cystica for 9 to 124 months (median, 32 months). RESULTS: After parathyroidectomy, 46 patients had hypocalcemia. During postoperative week 1, bone pain improved in 71%. During 3 months, appendicular fractures healed in all 33 such patients, and 6 of 7 patients who were bedridden could walk. Mean bone mineral density increments (percent change/y) seen at various sites at 1 week, 3, 6, and 12 months were distal forearm--37, 28, 23, 21; lumbar spine--165, 104, 101, 106; and total hip--168, 157, 166, 133. Follow-up radiographs demonstrated prompt recovery though disorderly remineralization. Brown tumors and fractures showed hyperdensities within 3 months. Brown tumors regressed partially in 6 of 27 patients after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: After parathyroidectomy, patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have early, marked, and sustained recovery of osteitis fibrosa cystica. Early (1 week) bone mineral density increments of > 100%/y hint at the skeleton's ability to promptly restore itself. Densitometric recovery is prompt at cancellous (lumbar spine), but not at cortical (forearm) bone sites. Contour defects and bony tumors persist, and may need corrective osteotomies.