[Tactics and results of surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism]

Following a brief overview on parathyroid surgery, ontogenesis, anatomy and physiology of the parathyroids are described. Clinical symptoms and signs of hyperparathyroidism are as variable as the topography of parathyroid bodies may be. While parathyroid hyperfunction can easily be demonstrated by determination of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, preoperative localization of adenoma or hyperplastic gland remains unsatisfactory in spite of great technical efforts. Therefore, the operative procedure has to be standardized and rational. Methylen blue staining of parathyroid bodies was proven to be helpful. Clinical results of 58 patients are presented.