Effectiveness of surgical parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal dialysis patients in Qatar

Pharmacologic interventions designed to control hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in uremic patients have limitations and potentially serious adverse clinical consequences. Hence, one still has to resort to surgical parathyroidectomy (PTX) in a considerable number of dialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to illustrate our experience with 26 renal dialysis patients who underwent surgical PTX. The main indications for PTX included iPTH > 1000 pg/mL associated with severe osteitis fibrosa, debilitating pruritus, marked soft tissue calcification, or hypercalcemia with hyperphosphatemia, which sometimes complicated vitamin D therapy. All patients were resistant to more conservative measures, including control of serum phosphate, attention to oral intake and dialysate calcium levels, and oral/intravenous administration of active vitamin-D-pulse therapy. Ultrasound and technetium 99-sestamibi scan were used to image the thyroid and the parathyroid glands. Total PTX with autotransplantation was performed in 23 patients; subtotal PTX was performed in 3 patients. Histology of frozen sections taken intraoperatively showed nodular changes in 14 and diffuse hyperplasia in 12 cases. During the 2-year follow-up period significant reductions in parathyroid hormone, alkaline phospatase blood levels, skeletal changes, and soft tissue calcifications were observed. Pruritus improved in half the cases. Some improvement in hemoglobin and hematocrit was also noticed. The complication rate after PTX was low. Transient postoperative hypocalcemia requiring intensification of calcium and vitamin D therapy was seen in cases with high preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels. Recurrence was observed in two cases. Hypoparathyroidism was not recorded. We conclude that surgical reduction of parathyroid mass is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic disease not suppressible by pharmacologic means.