 in the neck. A small tube with a tiny camera will be passed through the incision. The images from the camera will be sent to a TV monitors so the doctor can see the glands. Other small tools will be passed through the tube to detach and remove the gland. Once the gland has been removed, the incision will be closed with stitches.
A radioactive substance will be injected into your body. The abnormal gland will absorb the substance but the healthy glands will not. A small incision will be made in the neck and a small probe will be inserted. The probe will detect signals that are given off by the radioactive substance in the abnormal gland. This will help the doctor find the abnormal gland. Other small tools will be passed through the tube to detach and remove the gland. Once the gland has been removed, the incision will be closed with stitches.
With either surgery, if all four glands were removed, a part of one gland may be placed in a different area of the neck or in the forearm.
Between 30 minutes and 1-2 hours (depending on the type of surgery)
Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.
You may need to stay in the hospital for a day or you may be able to leave the same day. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you. Your doctor may also choose to keep you longer if you have any problems.
After your surgery, the hospital staff will: Observe you in the recovery roomCheck on your ability to swallow and speakTest your calcium levelsShow you how to change your dressings and care for your wound
During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection, such as: Washing their handsWearing gloves or masksKeeping your incisions covered
There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection, such as: Washing your hands often and reminding your healthcare providers to do the sameReminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masksNot allowing others to touch your incision
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. To help your recovery at home: You may be given calcium supplements.You will be given instruction about caring for your wound. Check your wound daily for signs of infection.You may want to eat semi-solid foods like ice cream or oatmeal for the first few days. These types of foods will be easier to swallow.
It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor: Tingling or numbness in the fingertips, toes, hands, or around the mouthTwitching or cramping of musclesRedness, warmth, drainage, or swelling around the area where surgery was doneDifficulty swallowing, talking, or breathingSigns of infection, including fever and chills
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
Farndon JR. Surgical treatment: Evidence-based and problem-oriented. Postoperative complications of parathyroidectomy. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6967. Accessed June 18, 2013.
Parathyroid surgery. The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons website. Available at:
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/surgery_overview.shtml. Accessed June 18, 2013.
Parathyroidectomy. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at:
http://cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Head-and-Neck-Cancer-Center/Treatment/Parathyroidectomy.aspx. Accessed June 18, 2013.
Parathyroidectomy: minimally invasive (focused). University of California, Los Angeles Endocrine Surgery website. Available at:
http://endocrinesurgery.ucla.edu/surgery_mip.html. Accessed June 18, 2013.
6/6/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Am J Med.
Last reviewed May 2014 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor imp