Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroidectomy is the surgical procedure in which the parathyroid glands are removed. The main reason for performing this surgery is hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands produce an excess of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).

Hypercalcaemia is associated with several serious health problems for individuals with parathyroid disorders, including: osteoporosis, kidney stones, heart disease, among others.

Parathyroid surgery typically lasts between 25 and 60 minutes, depending on the technique used. 

A key factor in minimising surgical intervention is to locate the affected parathyroid gland prior to the procedure.

Below, you will find full details about parathyroid gland removal surgery, including important aspects such as the reasons for undergoing the procedure and a step-by-step explanation of how the surgery is performed.

The parathyroid glands are four small glands of the endocrine system attached to the thyroid gland. It is important to distinguish between the parathyroid and the thyroid, as although the thyroid is also a key endocrine gland, its function is completely independent of that of the parathyroid glands.

In total, there are four small glands, two on each side of the neck, each weighing no more than 50 milligrams. Their anatomy can vary, which is why the surgeon must have experience in locating them precisely in the correct position.

The parathyroid glands are responsible for regulating calcium levels in the blood. Calcium is the element that allows the nervous system to communicate, enabling electrical signals to pass from one nerve to another. 

It is also essential for muscle contraction. This explains why a lack of calcium can cause tingling sensations in the fingers or muscle cramps when levels fall below normal.

When blood calcium levels are low, the parathyroid glands produce more PTH (parathyroid hormone). This signals the body to absorb more calcium from food via the intestines. Conversely, when calcium levels are high, the glands produce less PTH, indicating that the body should reduce the amount of calcium it draws from the bones.

The parathyroid glands help to maintain optimal calcium levels in the bones, thereby supporting bone strength and density.

As mentioned earlier, although these glands are located near the thyroid gland, their function is entirely independent. While the thyroid glandregulates metabolism and has no effect on calcium levels in the body, the parathyroid glands regulate calcium without influencing metabolism.

The most common symptoms of parathyroid disease affect the brain and include depression and low energy levels.

Parathyroid glands are particularly prone to becoming diseased. In fact, around 5% of people over the age of 50 experience overproduction of PTH, leading to poor gland function.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the most common reason why a patient may need surgery on the parathyroid glands. This condition occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive. 

As a result, the affected gland enlarges, forming a non-cancerous (benign) tumour known as an adenoma, which leads to elevated calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcaemia).

Hypercalcaemia can cause an excess of calcium in the blood, leading to problems such as:

• Osteoporosis
• Kidney stones
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue
• General tiredness

In severe cases of parathyroid disease, symptoms may also include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Frequent urination

Although this condition can occur in anyone at any time, it is more common in women aged 45 to 65.

Operarme offers you a surgical assessment consultation with a specialist in general and digestive system surgery, to ensure that surgery is the right option to treat your parathyroid condition.

To book this consultation, you can call at +34 91 141 33 56, complete the contact form, or click any of the “Request Appointment” buttons.

Are you interested in having parathyroid surgery?

Request a free and immediate appointment with our General Surgery specialists and book your surgery date

Request appointment

Our Patient Service team will not only arrange your appointment on the day that suits you best but will also answer any questions you may have about the process.

On the day of your consultation, you should bring all tests related to your parathyroid condition so that the surgical assessment can be as accurate and detailed as possible before the procedure. 

It will also be the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you have about the surgery, how it is performed, how long it takes, what recovery is like, and more.

If you decide to proceed, the specialist will schedule a series of preoperative tests to assess your health and rule out any surgical contraindications.

As mentioned earlier, once your consultation with the specialist is complete and you decide to proceed with surgery (always under medical advice), you will be scheduled for a series of preoperative tests:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): allows assessment of your heart’s condition.
• Chest X-ray: this test helps the doctor determine if there are any lung issues and check if the trachea is properly aligned.
• Full blood panel: includes a complete blood count, basic coagulation tests, kidney function tests, and blood glucose levels.

Once the preoperative tests are complete, it will be necessary to have a consultation with the anaesthetist. 

During this appointment, you should inform them of any allergies, previous surgeries, or any other relevant information that will help determine the type of anaesthesia to be used during the parathyroid surgery.

Before the parathyroid surgery, it is essential to carry out several tests to assess the condition of the kidneys and bones, and, above all, to locate which of the glands is affected so it can be removed.

This will directly influence the duration of the surgery and the extent of the surgical intervention by the specialist team.

The parathyroidectomy procedure follows these steps:

1. First, the anaesthetist administers general anaesthesia.
2. Next, the surgeon makes an incision in the centre of the neck, just below Adam's apple. This incision is usually 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) long.
3. Once inside, the surgeon locates the parathyroid glands and removes the affected one.
4. It is likely that during the surgery, blood tests will be performed to confirm that all affected glands have been removed.
5. Finally, the incision is closed, and you will be taken to the recovery room until the effects of the anaesthesia wear off.

The parathyroidectomy typically lasts between 25 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the technique used.

After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where the nursing team will monitor you for 4 to 8 hours, until they confirm that you can swallow and speak properly.

After parathyroid surgery, medical supervision is necessary, and you will usually need to stay in hospital for up to 2 days.

Once the surgery is complete, the medical team will transfer you to your room where you can rest. You will be under close medical observation until the specialist approves that you can start moving. The medical team will check the incision immediately after the operation to ensure everything is in good order.

Although the scar will vary depending on the technique used, advances in imaging techniques and the availability of resources for radioguided surgery have made it possible to locate the gland before surgery, thereby minimising the extent of the surgical procedure.

The postoperative period following parathyroidectomy is generally calm and yields positive results. However, as with any surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to take special care to reduce the risk of pain and postoperative complications.

Before discharge, the medical team will explain the warning signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as provide a series of guidelines to support a speedy recovery.

Parathyroidectomy surgery, which involves the removal of the parathyroid glands, primarily benefits patients by addressing the root cause of diseases related to these glands.

Additionally, it is a short procedure, which generally means a brief recovery period.

In addition to the benefits of the surgery itself, it is worth highlighting the advantages of having the procedure through Operarme, with the main benefits being:

• Free surgical assessment consultation with a specialist in General Surgery.
• Fixed all-inclusive price, guaranteed. From the start, you know the final cost.
• Fully personalised care provided by our patient service team, guiding you and answering any questions you may have throughout the process, so you never feel lost and can focus solely on your recovery.
• Additionally, parathyroid surgery, like most of our procedures, includes medical complication insurance, covering issues such as hospital stays or the need for reoperation.

For more information on this, please contact our patient service team.

If you have a clear diagnosis of a parathyroid condition and want to resolve the problem safely and quickly with a surgical option recommended by General Surgery experts, you can request an immediate surgical assessment consultation by filling in our contact form, calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or clicking on the image below:

Are you interested in having parathyroid surgery?

Request a free and immediate appointment with our General Surgery specialists and book your surgery date

Request appointment

The price of parathyroid surgery is 4.690 €. This is a fixed, all-inclusive price with no hidden costs, and it is the same across all the cities where Operarme operates.

This price covers everything necessary to ensure the success of the procedure. The following are included:

• Booking and use of the operating theatre
• Stay in a single room with a companion bed, meals, and hospitality for the patient
• Complete preoperative testing
• Postoperative visits.
• Medical fees
• Anaesthetist fees
• Nursing team fees
• Surgical materials required for the procedure
• Anaesthesia and recovery room reservation
• Medical complication insurance