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Thoracoscopic resection of ectopic parathyroid glands
C Medrano1, S R Hazelrigg, R J Landreneau
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9638, USA.
Background:
The vast majority of parathyroid glands in hyperparathyroidism can be resected through a cervical approach. In approximately 2% of the cases, the ectopic gland is in the mediastinum in a location that requires a thoracic approach.
Methods:
We report 7 such cases that were resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery to avoid the need for an open surgical procedure.
Results:
All glands were successfully identified preoperatively and subsequently resected. Hospital stay averaged less than 3 days with only one minor complication.
Conclusions:
Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands may be safely and accurately resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery to avoid open approaches.