ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim
of this study is to review the surgical outcome of parathyroidectomy at one
institution over nine years in form of methods of diagnosis, type of surgery, postoperative complications and histopathology findings. Methods: This is a retrospective
study from a single institution (King Salman North West Armed Forced Hospital
(KSAFH), Tabuk, Saudi Arabia). All cases underwent parathyroidectomy from
1/1/2010 until 31/12/2018 were retrieved from the archives of the department of
surgery. Data were extracted from the
patients’ charts. They included demographical data, presence of comorbidities,
laboratory and radiological investigations, type of surgery, postoperative
complications and histopathology findings. Inclusion criteria include patients older than 13 years old. Exclusion
criteria include patients younger than 13 years old, hyperparathyroidism
cured with medication, patients unwilling to give informed consent and patients
with serious underlying medical conditions
that restrict diagnostic testing or therapy such as congestive cardiac failure. Results: A total of 30 patients underwent parathyroidectomy at KSAFH. 20 out of 30 patients were female (66.7%). The mean age was 35 - 45 years old. Diabetes mellitus was found in 5
patients (16.7%), while hypertension was seen in 10 patients (33.3%). 6 patients (20%)
had end stage renal disease (ESRD). The
data showed 24 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (80%), 5
patients with secondary hyperparathyroisim (16.7%) and one patient with
tertiary hyperparathyroidism (3.3%). Our study demonstrated that 23 patients
underwent partial parathyroidectomy (76.6%), while 7 patients underwent total
parathyroidectomy (23.3%). According to the method used for diagnosis of
hyperparathyroidism, blood tests were used in 27 patients (90%), Sestamibi
parathyroid scan in 26 patients (86.6%), ultrasound scanning in 28 patients
(93.3%) and bone scan in 9 patients (30%). Sensitivity of Sestamibi scan in primary hyperparathyroidism (91.7%) and
(66%) for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Mean operative time was 79 minutes.
Mean hospital stay was 4 days.
Postoperative ccomplications included hypocalcemia in 9 patients (30%), wound infection was (0%), hematoma formation in 2
patients (6.67%), seroma formation in 1 patient (3.33%), vascular injury
(0%) and recurrence rate in 2 patients
(6.67%). Histopathology findings included parathyroid adenoma in 22 patients
(73.3%), parathyroid hyperplasia in 6 patients (20%) and parathyroid carcinoma
in 2 patients (6.7%). Rate of cure was 93.3%. Conclusions: Hyper-parathyroidism is more common in female patients than male patients. High sensitivity for
sestamibi scan in primary hyperparathyroidism. ESRD is the most common cause of
secondary hyperparathyroidism. Most common complication is hypocalcemia. High
rate of cure following parathyroid surgery.