[Pathophysiology and surgery of the parathyroid glands]

The treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism consists in a teamwork between the physician, pathologist and surgeon. The endocrinologist must be able to motivate the surgeon to perform an often tedious exploration of the neck, while the pathologist may influence the tactics of surgery by his analysis of the frozen sections. The surgeon needs much experience, a sound knowledge of anatomy, a good surgical technique and enough time and leisure for the operation.