Surgery for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing dialysis.

Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and therapy of patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), 5% of these patients may need parathyroidectomy. The purpose of this article is to present our experience with parathyroid surgery in 30 patients with chronic renal failure at "La Paz" University Hospital, analyzing the clinical and biochemical evolution after surgery as well as the recurrence rate. In the first month after surgery, calcium, parathyroid hormone, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels, as well as bone pain and pruritus, all decreased significantly. Within the first postoperative year, 24 patients remained asymptomatic, and no recurrent secondary HPT was detected. Within the second year after surgery, 15 patients were asymptomatic, and 3 patients showed a recurrence. According to these results, parathyroidectomy is an appropriate surgical procedure for patients with severe overt secondary HPT.