[Reoperations in parathyroid surgery]

In a continuous series of 439 parathyroidectomies for primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism, 36 cases were reoperations. The initial operation had been a prior parathyroid exploration (PTx) in 17 cases, a thyroidectomy (Tx) in 17 cases, both operations in two cases. The incidence of parathyroid glands discovered at exploration was lower in both types of reoperations (67% after Tx, 72% after PTx) than in patients who were explored for the first time (94%). Anatomical variations and parathyroid pathologies were comparable in patients reoperated after Tx and in those explored for the first time. In patients reoperated after PTx, anatomical abnormalities (46% of glands in ectopic locations, 12% of supernumeray glands) and multiglandular pathologies (56% of hyperplasias) were much more frequently encountered. Long term results were satisfactory in patients explored for the first time (98% cures) and in reoperations after Tx (94% cures), but were less favourable in reoperations after PTx (78% cures).