How Surgery of the Parathyroid Is Performed
Parathyroid surgery is a safe and commonly performed procedure. While the idea of having a surgeon open your neck might seem frightening, parathyroid surgery is nowhere near as scary as it sounds. This type of surgery, which is also commonly referred to as a parathyroidectomy, is a medical procedure in which a surgeon will remove part, or all, of a patient’s parathyroid gland.
The parathyroid glands of the human body are responsible for controlling the amounts of phosphorous and calcium that are found in one’s bloodstream. When this particular gland becomes overactive, it is referred to as hyperparathyroidism.
Some of the most common symptoms that patients with disease experience include joint weakness, frequent urges to urinate, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and kidney stones. Your doctor will be able to perform the appropriate tests to determine if this is indeed what you are suffering from.
During the actual parathyroid surgery, you will be given a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetic is what prevents a patient from feeling any pain during the procedure. The surgeon who is performing the surgery will make a small incision n your neck in order to access the parathyroid glands. Depending upon the severity of your condition, the culprit gland or glands will be removed as needed. Once the right amount of parathyroid tissue has been removed, the incision is closed with sutures.
After Parathyroid Surgery
For most patients after the parathyroid surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is required, but they are usually able to go home the next day. Many patients experience general swelling at the incision site. Some patients will be required by their doctor to take a calcium supplement, in order to avoid developing low calcium levels in the body.
Your surgeon will provide you with any additional post-surgery instructions, and he or she will also schedule a follow up appointment for shortly after your surgery on the parathyroid. There is always a possible risk of infection with any type of procedure, but with proper care, this can usually be avoided.
The procedure really is as simple as that. The primary benefit to having this procedure performed is that you are going to feel a whole lot better.
Although the symptoms of parathyroid disease are generally benign, the tumours that develop can eventually cause serious problems including osteoporosis and fractures. Perhaps the most debilitating aspect of this disease is that it seriously diminishes a patient’s quality of life. However, with surgery for the parathyroid, the symptoms can be remedied in one short procedure.
If you have questions or concerns about parathyroid problems see your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a thyroid surgeon.
