Parathyroidectomy Image

The parathyroid glands are found in front of the thyroid gland. There are two small pea-sized glands on either side, just behind the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands regulate blood levels of calcium.

Parathyroidectomy is recommended when the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism). This can cause excess calcium in the blood, and lead to such symptoms as muscle spasm or tetany, bone weakness (osteoporosis), kidney disease, including kidney stones, psychiatric problems, including depression, irritability, fatigue, and anxiety, as well as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In many cases, however, patients have no symptoms, and blood calcium levels are found to be elevated on routine blood tests.

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. For a total parathyroidectomy, all four glands are removed. The incision is then closed. In some cases, the surgeon will remove all four glands, and re-implant one gland in the forearm muscle of the patient, to provide residual parathyroid function and give easy access to the remaining gland after surgery, in case more parathyroid tissue needs to be removed.

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