Indications for parathyroid surgery
The traditional reasons for parathyroid surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism are listed below:
- Hypercalcaemia in all patients below 50 years
- Hypercalcaemia greater than 3.00 mmol/l in all age groups
- Symptomatic hypercalcaemia in all age groups
- Deterioration in renal function
- Progressive reduction in bone density
- Excessive excretion of calcium in the urine
- Any suggestion of malignant parathyroid disease.
The advent of minimally invasive parathyroid surgery with its associated safety and minimal complications has made the indications more liberal.