MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Parathyroidectomy

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Parathyroidectomy

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Description	Indications Risks Expectations after surgery Convalescence

Illustrations

Parathyroidectomy

Alternative names Return to top

Removal of parathyroid gland; Parathyroid gland removal

Definition Return to top

Parathyroidectomy is surgery to remove parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors.

Description Return to top

Parathyroidectomy is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). An incision is made in the neck just under the Adam's apple. The four parathyroid glands are located.

For partial parathyroidectomy, three of the glands are removed, leaving one to help prevent hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone).

For a total parathyroidectomy, all four glands are removed. The incision is then closed. With this procedure, some of the parathyroid gland tissue is usually re-implanted in the forearm or neck muscles so that some parathyroid hormone will still be produced in the body and hypoparathyroidism can be avoided.

Indications Return to top

Parathyroidectomy is recommended when the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism).

Risks Return to top

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks for parathyroidectomy include the following:

Injury to the thyroid gland
Hypoparathyroidism (leading to dangerously low calcium levels)
Injury to the vocal cord nerves

Expectations after surgery Return to top

Complete healing without complications usually occurs within 4 weeks. The long-term outlook is excellent.

Serum calcium levels should be monitored daily for several days after this procedure.

Convalescence Return to top

Normal activity can be resumed within a few days. Vigorous activity may need to be avoided for up to a month.

Update Date: 11/24/2002

Updated by: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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