Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation for tertiary hyperparathyroidism in children with chronic renal...

An association between chronic renal failure and skeletal deformities in the adolescent patient was first documented by Lucas in 1883. Since then it has been established that the kidneys play a major role in the regulation of calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone, and that chronic renal failure is characterized by profound alterations in the normal metabolic homeostasis of the human body. With the hyperphosphatemia of uremia, compensatory hyperparathyroidism is also a well known complication. Due to these factors, loss of normal renal function ultimately leads to derangement in mineral and bone metabolism resulting in severe skeletal deformities. Reports in the English literature suggest that the changes of renal osteodystrophy are much more pronounced in the pediatric patient, as compared to those in the adult. In the last two decades, renal transplantation has come to be recognized as a satisfactory modality for controlling renal failure and its complications. This procedure is often not available as an option, however, in small patients, especially those under three years of age. The pediatric nephrologist is often forced to manage these patients for long periods with conservative therapy, in an attempt to control the ravages of renal osteodystrophy. The problem becomes unmanageable when the compensatory hyperparathyroidism proceeds to autonomy. When this occurs, despite maintenance of normal serum calcium levels, the renal osteodystrophy progresses rapidly, producing pain, deformities and growth retardation. At this point, the condition is often refractory to medical management and resection of parathyroid tissue remains the only satisfactory modality for control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)