Analysis of the role of thyroidectomy and thymectomy in the surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Purpose

Parathyroidectomy can be subtotal or total with an autograft for the treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism. In both cases, it may be extended with bilateral thymectomy and total or partial thyroidectomy. Thymectomy may be recommended in combination with parathyroidectomy in order to prevent mediastinal recurrence. Also, the occurrence of thyroid disease observed in patients with hyperparathyroidism is poorly understood and the incidence of cancer is controversial. The aim of the present study was to report the experience of a single center in the surgical treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism and to analyse the role of thyroid and thymus surgery in association with parathyroidectomy.

Materials and methods

We analysed parathyroid surgery data, considering patient demographics, such as age and gender, and surgical procedure data, such as type of hyperparathyroidism, associated thyroid or thymus surgery, surgical duration and mediastinal recurrence. Histopathological results of thyroid and thymus samples were also analysed.

Results

Medical records of 109 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism were reviewed. On average, thymectomy did not have impact on time of parathyroidectomy (p?=?0.62) even when thyroidectomy was included (p?=?0.91). Intrathymic parathyroids were detected in 7.5% of the thymuses removed and papillary carcinoma was detected in 20,8% of thyroid tissue samples. Two patients showed recurrence of supernumerary intrathymic parathyroids and a single case of mediastinitis was observed.

Conclusions

Parathyroidectomy with thymectomy and/or thyroidectomy has an important role in the treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism since thyroid cancer can frequently occur and require surgery. Thymectomy should be considered to avoid recurrence and a risky re-operation.