[Surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism].

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment in the patient effected by secondary hyperparathyroidism consists in subtotal parathyroidectomy or total parathyroidectomy plus autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue.

METHODS

The results obtained with surgical treatment of 6 patients observed in the years 1995-1996 are analyzed. Two glands were hyperplastic in four patients, 3 in the others. Every patient was submitted to a subtotal parathyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Postoperative course was marked by transient hypoparathyroidism in one case. After 18 months of follow-up, no recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

It is pointed out that in case of secondary hyperparathyroidism subtotal parathyroidectomy represents the surgical treatment of choice, according with literature data. Otherwise total parathyroidectomy plus autotransplantation, characterized by a more complex surgical technique, lead to the same results.