Outcomes of subtotal parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism

Renal hyperparathyroidism due to end-stage kidney disease is associated with considerable morbidity, and when refractory is treated with parathyroidectomy. Recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism is a major surgical complication, yet initial target parathyroid remnant size and outcomes, including rates of recurrence are not well elucidated.

This is a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent initial subtotal parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism on dialysis, from 1990-2022. The subtotal parathyroidectomy was defined as resection of 3 parathyroid glands ± partial resection of the fourth gland leaving a remnant of ∼75-100 mg, and postresection intraoperative parathyroid hormone goal was 150-250 pg/mL. Clinical data were examined for outcomes.

Among 204 patients who met inclusion criteria, 139 (68%) had follow-up data; 58% (80/139) were women and median age was 45 years. Surgical complications included 2 hematomas (1.4%), 1 recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (<1%), and no patient required readmission for intravenous calcium. Using a target remnant size of 75-100 mg, recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism was uncommon (14/139, 10%) and arose at a median interval of 58.6 months (range, 8-180). In cases of recurrence, the postresection intraoperative parathyroid hormone level was less likely to drop <250 pg/mL (40%, 4/10 vs nonrecurrence 65%, 80/123; P = .11) with a slightly lower median decrease (70% vs 81% in nonrecurrence, P = .8); however, neither were significant. Recurrence did not occur in the 19 patients who later received kidney transplantation (P = .2).

In subtotal parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism, use of a target 75-100 mg remnant size results in low complication rates. Durable cure appears to be more likely with renal transplantation.