Reoperations for hyperparathyroidism.

During a 20 year period, 27 patients have undergone reoperations for primary hyperparathyroidism. Hypercalcemia has been successfully controlled in 21 of the 27 patients after a total of 64 operations. Reasons for failure at initial exploration included surgical error in 12, multiple gland disease in five, unusual parathyroid gland location in five, carcinoma of the parathyroid gland in two and unknown in three. A variety of techniques were used to localize missing parathyroid glands prior to reoperation. Selective venous sampling was the most helpful but gave correct localizing information in only nine of 18 patients. Postoperatively, hypoparathyroidism was temporary in two patients and permanent in four. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was temporary in one patient, permanent and unilateral in two and bilateral in one patient. Reoperations for hyperparathyroidism are associated with increased morbidity and decreased success. Most importantly, failure at the initial operation is preventable in most patients.