[Surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure. Results and choice of a technic].

Results are reported of surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal failure in 231 patients who had undergone 250 operations over 16 years: 152 total parathyroidectomies associated in 151 cases with an autotransplant, 58 subtotal parathyroidectomies, 9 incomplete parathyroidectomies, I white cervicotomy and 39 repeat operations for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Results were evaluated clinically, biologically and radiologically after a mean follow up of 4 years, and were rated good in 71.4% of cases. The quality of the results was independent of the type of parathyroidectomy practised: 71% good results after total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and 69% after subtotal parathyroidectomy. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two techniques with respect to mortality, postoperative morbidity and late complications. The only divergence seen was in relation to recurrences: recovery surgery at the cervical level after subtotal parathyroidectomy leaving a clearly identified glandular stump associated with a better result than repeat operation on grafts at brachial level after total parathyroidectomy and autograft. These results led to the adoption of a surgical routine for hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal failure using subtotal parathyroidectomy combined with bilateral thymectomy. The operation of total parathyroidectomy without immediate autotransplant is reserved for cervical recovery surgical procedures. Whatever the technique used, frozen storage of removed tissue is the indispensable complement of parathyroidectomy.