Surgical treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism

Renal hyperparathyroidism can be a major clinical problem in those receiving dialysis treatment and in those having renal transplants. This review of 66 patients during a five year period has led us to believe that laboratory data are useful for confirming the clinical diagnosis or for following the outcome of medical or surgical therapy. The screening for renal hyperparathyroidism should be on clinical grounds and not on isolated biochemical tests. All patients with renal failure, whether receiving dialysis therapy or renal transplantation, are at risk for having renal hyperparathyroidism develop. A careful assessment of the clinical and biochemical data is required to ensure proper patient selection for operation. Bone disease and persistent pruritus unresponsive to medical management remain the principle clinical indications for operation. Our preferred procedure is the standard subtotal parathyroidectomy.