New technique of parathyroidectomy to prevent parathyromatosis and hypoparathyroidism

A 54-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease and on haemodialysis for 4 years developed severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and was operated upon. The two upper and the largest lower parathyroid glands were resected. The right lower gland was dissected from the lower pole of the thyroid and, by gently pulling upwards, the lateral walls were dissected using electrocautery. The lower aspect of the gland maintained the blood supply through small mediastinal and thymic vessels of the neopedicle, which allowed its mobilization to a more superficial plane. Because of the large size of the gland, the part opposite to the neopedicle was resected and the cutting surface was sealed with fibrin adhesive. Pre-thyroidal muscles were reapproximated and the remnant of the parathyroid gland was pulled out through a small hole in the inferior part of the midline and sutured with fine silk to the muscle. The gland was therefore placed in a subcutaneous position in the lowest part of the operative field just above the sternal border. The postoperative course was uneventful and, 8 months after surgery, the patient maintains a normal parathyroid function.