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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Procurement of Parathyroid Glands from Living Donor Pigs and Ex Vivo Identification
08:07

Procurement of Parathyroid Glands from Living Donor Pigs and Ex Vivo Identification

Published on: August 1, 2025

Parathyroid cryopreservation after parathyroidectomy: a worthwhile practice?

Kevin Shepet1, Amal Alhefdhi, Reid Usedom

  • 1Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.

Annals of Surgical Oncology
|March 19, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Parathyroid cryopreservation for potential later use after parathyroidectomy is costly and rarely needed. When delayed autotransplantation was performed, success rates were poor, questioning the utility of cryopreservation.

Related Concept Videos

The Parathyroid Glands00:59

The Parathyroid Glands

The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Transplantation Immunology

Background:

  • Parathyroid cryopreservation is performed after parathyroidectomy to enable future autotransplantation for hypocalcemia.
  • Cryopreservation is resource-intensive, and delayed autotransplantation success rates are variable.
  • This study evaluates the institutional rate and outcomes of parathyroid cryopreservation and autotransplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the rate of parathyroid cryopreservation and delayed autotransplantation at our institution.
  • To assess the outcomes and success rate of delayed parathyroid autotransplantation.
  • To evaluate the overall utility of parathyroid cryopreservation in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 2,083 parathyroidectomies for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) from 2001 to 2010.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Procurement of Parathyroid Glands from Living Donor Pigs and Ex Vivo Identification
08:07

Procurement of Parathyroid Glands from Living Donor Pigs and Ex Vivo Identification

Published on: August 1, 2025

  • Identified 442 patients (21%) who underwent parathyroid cryopreservation.
  • Analyzed patient demographics, diagnoses, and rates/success of delayed autotransplantation.

    • Main Results:

    • Parathyroid cryopreservation was used in 442 patients (21%), predominantly females with primary HPT.
    • Delayed autotransplantation was performed in only 4 patients (1%) at a mean of 9 months post-surgery.
    • Three of four patients remained hypoparathyroid post-autotransplantation; one patient treated early was cured.

    Conclusions:

    • Parathyroid cryopreservation is utilized in over 20% of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.
    • The need for delayed parathyroid autotransplantation is low (1%), with a poor success rate.
    • The continued practice of parathyroid cryopreservation warrants re-evaluation due to low utility and poor outcomes.