Hyperparathyroidism Surgery

• With an experienced endocrine surgeon, good imaging / X-ray localisation and good operative tools the long term cure rate is around 95-98%
  
• Shorter operation time – typically around 30 minutes
  
• Complication rate for minimally invasive surgery is very low
  
• Smaller wounds and quicker recovery.

Typical Patient Journey Images for Unilateral or Minimally Invasive neck Exploration for Parathyroid Adenoma

• In experienced endocrine surgeon hands a 98-99% long term cure rate
  
• Larger wound and longer operative time
  
• A slightly higher complication rate including a small rate (between 1-10%) of hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium requiring supplements) post-operation
  
• Bilateral 4-gland exploration is the appropriate operation in the circumstance of hereditary hyperparathyroidism or M.E.N. Syndrome (multiple endocrine neoplasia).

Whilst long term, serious complications of parathyroid surgery are rare it is important to be aware of the possibilities.

Common Complaints or Problems after Parathyroid Surgery:

• Some swelling or stiffness around surgical wound – this is common and virtually always resolves spontaneously over 2-3 weeks. Physiotherapy / massage is a good remedy.
  
• Stiff neck that requires some physiotherapy afterwards
  
• Very minor / subtle changes in voice are reasonably common – but usually very short lived, normally resolving within 1-2 weeks of surgery.

Rare Problems After Parathyroid Surgery: ( around a 1-2% chance )

• Wound infection – genuine wound infections after neck surgery are known to be very rare.
  
• Long term or serious change in voice quality
  
• Persistence or recurrence of the high calcium can occur relating to not finding all abnormal parathyroid glands
  
• Bleeding or bruising in the tissue that requires some form of intervention to remedy it

If the parathyroid surgery is being re-done for a recurrence or other reason, then the chance of these significant complications becomes higher.