Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring during parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism

The surgical management of secondary hyperparathyroidism by experienced surgeons is associated with excellent results. The presence of supernumerary glands and inadequate initial parathyroidectomy can lead to reoperations for recurrence. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (qPTH), which has been described during parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism, may be helpful in preventing or predicting the need for reoperation. This report describes the use of qPTH assays during parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were determined in 13 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (n = 3) or subtotal parathyroidectomy (n = 10). Levels were determined using a modified immunochemiluminometric assay (qPTH).

The average PTH levels before and after parathyroidectomy were 1599 pg/ml (620 to 2486 pg/ml) and 230.3 pg/ml (129 to 345 pg/ml), respectively. All patients had significant decreases in PTH levels after parathyroidectomy (mean, 84.6%). Symptoms were improved in all patients after operation. PTH levels at early follow-up were consistently below intraoperative levels.

Intraoperative PTH monitoring reproducibly demonstrates the clinically relevant decrease in PTH levels after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism similar to those previously documented in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Long-term follow-up and increasing numbers of patients are crucial in defining the role of qPTH monitoring during parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism.