[Persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy]

In a series of 416 parathyroidectomies for primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism, 19 were reoperations for persistence (17 cases) on recurrence (2 cases) of the disease. (1) Preoperative localisation studies were useless in half of the cases. (2) In re-explorations, 72% only of parathyroid glands were discovered, 46% of them in ectopic locations. In reoperations for primary hyperparathyroidism, 56% of cases had more than one pathological gland. (3) Long term results have been less satisfactory after re-explorations than after the first operations.