Parathyroidectomy in patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND

Hyperparathyroidism is common in patients with renal disease. These patients may require operation for this disease if it cannot be controlled by medical therapy. Because these patients continue to have renal failure, the risk of recurrence and reoperation is high.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients with renal failure underwent operation for hyperparathyroidism. These patients were followed up on dialysis or after transplantation.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients, aged 2 to 71 years old, with end-stage renal disease required parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism 6.2 +/- 4.2 (standard deviation) years after beginning dialysis. Thirty-six patients had undergone renal transplantation (creatinine = 1.6 +/- 0.4 mg/dL). All patients had elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Sixty-eight patients had hyperplasia; 1 patient had adenoma. Six patients required reoperation for recurrent hyperparathyroidism 30 to 123 months after their initial parathyroidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Patients with end-stage renal disease are prone to abnormalities of calcium metabolism. They frequently develop parathyroid hyperplasia. Recurrence can occur following operation because of continuing renal failure.