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Parathyroidectomy, Conventional


Why is this procedure done?


You have 4 very small parathyroid glands in your neck. Some people have 6 or 8 of them. They control the supply of calcium in your body. Sometimes, these glands make too much hormone. Surgery to take out 1 or more of these glands is a parathyroidectomy. ‚  


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What will the results be?


Your parathyroid hormone levels will be normal. ‚  

What happens before the procedure?


  • Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
    • All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
    • Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
    • When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
  • Your doctor will do an exam and may order tests to see the location of your glands and check blood parathyroid hormone levels. The doctor may order a:
    • Lab tests
    • Bone density test
    • CT scan
    • Ultrasound
  • You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.

What happens during the procedure?


  • Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
  • The doctor will make a 5 to 6 cm cut in the neck. The neck muscles and thyroid gland will be moved so your doctor can see all the glands. Once the diseased gland is located, your doctor will take it out.
  • You may need to have a drain put in the area where the gland is taken out. The cut will be closed with stitches.
  • The procedure will take from 20 minutes to a few hours.
  • Sometimes, the doctor will give you a shot of a special nuclear material before surgery. Then the doctor will use a special probe to find your glands.

What happens after the procedure?


You can go home the same day you have the surgery. Before you go, the doctor will check and make sure you can swallow and speak. You may feel numb or tingling around your mouth for a day or two after the surgery. It will take 1 to 3 weeks for full recovery. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
  • You may have a drain tube in your neck after surgery. If so, ask your doctor how to care for it.
  • Ask your doctor if you will need to take calcium supplements when you go home.
  • Sleeping with your head up on pillows will lessen neck swelling after surgery.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You will need to have your calcium level watched closely.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor may send you to see a special doctor called an endocrinologist who deals with hormone levels in the body.

What problems could happen?


  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Damage to the thyroid gland
  • The need to cut part of the thyroid gland
  • Your body may not make enough hormones to control your calcium levels. This is called hypoparathyroidism.
  • Damage to the nerves in your vocal cords
  • Problem with breathing

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Numbness or tingling around the mouth or in the arms or fingertips, or muscle twitching. Call your doctor right away.
  • Neck swelling
  • Any concerns about your condition

Helpful tips


You may need to take calcium supplements until your calcium level returns to normal. ‚  

Where can I learn more?


The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons ‚  
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/surgery_overview.shtml ‚  
National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service ‚  
http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hyper/index.aspx#9 ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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