PARATHYROIDECTOMY
PARATHYROIDECTOMY
Parathyroidectomy is the surgical technique used to remove all or part of the parathyroid glands. These are four glands located on the back of the thyroid gland, whose function is to produce a hormone called PTH, which regulates calcium metabolism.
The most common reason for surgery is an increase in this hormone, or hyperparathyroidism, or the presence of enlarged glands that do not improve with medical treatment or that have certain characteristics that make removal advisable, such as the suspicion of a malignant tumor.
Hyperparathyroidism can also occur alongside other more complex diseases or syndromes, so the removal of the parathyroid glands may be considered as part of the treatment for these conditions.
Parathyroidectomy can be partial, removing only some of the four glands, or total, removing all four. In the latter case, continuous replacement medication will be necessary to maintain the function performed by the glands before the operation.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia through a horizontal incision made approximately three centimeters from the base of the neck, following a natural skin fold to ensure that the scar is as aesthetic as possible. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the lymph nodes near the gland during the same procedure, which may require enlarging the incision mentioned above.
After the procedure, it will be necessary to monitor blood calcium levels regularly to avoid complications. If levels are low or there are signs of numbness, paresthesia, or cramps, medical treatment will need to be started as soon as possible.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia through a horizontal incision made approximately three centimeters from the base of the neck, following a natural skin fold to ensure that the scar is as aesthetic as possible. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the lymph nodes near the gland during the same procedure, which may require enlarging the incision mentioned above.
After the procedure, it will be necessary to monitor blood calcium levels regularly to avoid complications. If levels are low or there are signs of numbness, paresthesia, or cramps, medical treatment will need to be started as soon as possible.
