[Cervical thymectomy as an expanded surgical method in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism].

From 1964 to 1979 neck explorations were performed on 135 patients with primary and 30 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. In 28 of 165 patients (16,9%) a cervical (23 patients) or a direct (5 patients) thymectomy after sternum splitting was carried out. In 22 of 28 patients, parathyroid tissue was found within or adjacent to the thymus (13,3%). Cervical thymectomy is a safe and effective procedure when an exact indication is present and if certain rules of operative technique are followed.