[Clinical study of parathyroidectomy of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure]

We performed parathyroidectomy for renal osteodystrophy due to secondary hyperparathyroidism on 16 patients with chronic renal failure who were refractory to medical management; subtotal parathyroidectomy on one patient and total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation on 15 patients. Postoperative clinical improvement, i.e., bone and/or joint pain, pruritus and radiographic signs of renal osteodystrophy, was marked. After the operation, serum calcium decreased rapidly and adequate calcium replacement therapy was necessary. The levels of intact parathyroid hormone decreased rapidly and serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase gradually decreased for a few months postoperatively. Recurrence was diagnosed in one patient, who underwent excision of the transplanted parathyroid tissue. Osteomalasia due to hypoparathyroidism was not seen clinically in this series. In preoperative image diagnosis, ultrasonotomogram (US) showed the highest detective rate of the enlarged parathyroid glands. However, combination of US, computerized tomography and 99mTcO4(-)-201T1C1 scintigram can be recommended as a localizing diagnostic method for compensating the disadvantages of each method. Clinical results after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism are considered to be good. However, long-term followup is mandatory for early detection of persistent hyperparathyroidism or hypoparathyroidism.