Clinical experience of parathyroid autotransplantation

Parathyroid tissue was transplanted from the neck to the muscles of the non-dominant forearm in 18 patients. The difference in concentration of parathormone between the transplant arm and the contralateral arm was used as a test of parathyroid function. All patients showed a difference in concentration between the arms. Three patients needed calcium supplement for 2 months after surgery, and one patient with no parathyroid tissue left in situ also needed vitamin D for 8 months. The results indicate that parathyroid tissue transplanted to the arm continues to function, and is able to keep the patient normocalcaemic even when no parathyroid tissue is left in situ.