[Surgical approach in mediastinal adenomas and parathyroid carcinomas]

The authors performed retrospective analysis of medical records in a group of 176 patients, who underwent surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical strategy was the major issue of interest. Cervical collar incision represented a first-choice approach to cervical exploration in most of cases except those, in whom ectopic mediastinal localization have been diagnosed before the operation. Partial sternotomy was the most common option in surgical re-explorations as a second step following failed parathyroid surgery. We conclude that partial sternotomy is necessary further step in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism complicated by malignant hypercalcaemia on condition that the surgeon is not able to reveal adenomas from neck exploration and sternotomy is than performed immediately during the same operation.