[Simplified storage procedure of cryopreserved human parathyroid tissue]

Parathyroid tissue that is stored for replantation purposes is usually kept in a special tank containing fluid nitrogen at -196 degrees C. Our studies demonstrate that storage is also possible in a deep-freezer at -70 degrees C without any loss of quality. Most hospitals own such freezers for storing bone marrow cells at the same temperature. Parathyroid tissue of 11 patients who were operated on because of primary hyperparathyroidism was stored in this way. After six months the tissue showed 75.7% morphologically intact cells. The control group's tissue was stored in liquid nitrogen according to the common method; after the same period of time it showed 76% histologically normal cells.