[Current indications for surgical treatment of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism]

The clinical picture of hyperparathyroidism has gone toward deep modifications in the last few decades, and currently this disease is more frequently asymptomatic. So, the question is raising concerning which patients have to be operated, due to the substantial benignity of the disease and the lack of well defined symptoms. Classical indications for surgery have been formulated more than a decade ago and are as follows: calcemia higher than 3 mmol/L, previous episode of life threatening hypercalcaemia, reduced creatinine clearance, nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria, osteoporosis. In the last years other indications have been added, on the basis of clinical and epidemiological studies that have contributed to broaden our knowledgement on the evolution and compliances of the disease. Among these, the following data have to been kept in mind: history of previous atraumatic fractures, vertebral osteopenia (Z-score < -2), vitamin D deficiency, perimenopausal status, neuromuscular or psychical disturbances.