The aim of the surgeon is remove the abnormal parathyroid tissue leaving normal parathyroid tissue behind .The perfect result is normal serum calcium, a normal parathyroid hormone level, an unchanged voice and an almost invisible scar. The traditional approach has been to use general anaesthesia and to explore all parathyroids and to remove one or more offending parathyroids. This is a very specialist field with no role for enthusiastic amateurs. It is an acceptable method if immediate intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement indicates a normal parathyroid hormone level.
Modern technology is no substitute for expert surgery.
The development of mini-invasive techniques in the abdomen has encouraged endocrine surgeons to apply them to the neck for parathyroid surgery. Copyright Mr. John A Lynn 1999. All Rights Reserved.