SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF HYPERPARATHYROIDISM; A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE.

Background: Hyperparathyroidism is over-activity of one or more of the parathyroid glands resulting in the excess production of parathyroid hormone. Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause and has various clinical presentations, and a parathyroidectomy is considered to be the most effective treatment for this disorder. Objective: To review the operative management of hyperparathyroidism from a single secondary hospital. Method: This study hasa retrospective design whereby the charts of patients who underwent parathyroidectomies between 2010 and2015 were reviewed. We analysed the clinical manifestations, biochemical data, length of hospital stay, operative findings and post-operative complications. Results: In total, the charts of 33 patients were examined, and the female to male ratio was determined to be 9: 2 and the mean age 55 years. The majority of patients (51.5%) presented with bone pain and fatigue. Ultrasonography and a sestamibi parathyroid scan were used for pre-operative localisation in 81.8% of the patients, while the remainder underwentalternativemodality of localisation. Of the 33 patients who underwent surgery for parathyroid gland removal,78.8% had a parathyroid adenoma. Finally, 75.8% of patients were free of any post-operative symptoms and the average length of hospital stay was 72 hours. Conclusions: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a symptomatic disorder which commonly presents with skeletal and renal manifestations. The best surgical results are achieved through localisation of the parathyroid lesion.