Yeung G H, Ng J W
Department of Surgery, Yan Chai Hospital, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.
Aust N Z J Surg. 1998 Feb;68(2):147-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1998.tb04727.x.
The technical details of endoscopic exploration of parathyroid adenoma are described here, thereby drawing attention to the enormous potential of this new modality of minimal-access surgery.
Four patients with a parathyroid adenoma that was clearly demonstrated by pre-operative localization imaging techniques were subject to endoscopic exploration using one 11 mm and two 5 mm ports: a technique heretofore undescribed.
An adenoma was successfully localized endoscopically in each case and was removed. The postoperative outcome proved most encouraging: no analgesics were required, the hypercalcaemia rapidly corrected and the patients were pleased with the smallness of scars.
The described endoscopic approach is a viable and promising alternative to open surgery for parathyroid adenoma; further study would be fruitful.
