Bilateral Exploration Parathyroidectomy
What is a bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy?
A bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy is identification of all 4 parathyroid glands with the removal of those glands which are enlarged or appear abnormal.
Why might I need a bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy?
If you have primary hyperparathyroidism where preoperative scans have not identified an enlarged parathyroid gland to target or if more than one parathyroid gland has been found to be abnormal
What does a bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy involve?
Incision at the front of the neck
The procedure aims to identify all 4 parathyroid glands with removal of those parathyroid glands that appear enlarged or abnormal
Sometimes a drain tube is placed and is moved the morning after surgery
Dissolvable sutures
Waterproof dressing
Further information about bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy
How long is the recovery after bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy?
Overnight stay in hospital
What are the risks of bilateral exploration parathyroidectomy?
Scar
Bleeding
Infection
Small risk of voice change if there is injury to the recurrent largyngeal nerve
Occasionally diseased parathyroid glands are located within the tissue of the thyroid gland, requiring removal of one lobe of the thyroid to facilitate treatment
Non cure – this can be due to the presence of ectopic (abnormally located) or supernumerary (more than 4) parathyroid glands
Hypocalcaemia – once the overactive parathyroid gland has been removed the calcium can become low until the remaining parathyroid glands regain their function.