What is the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands?
What is the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands?
Parathyroidectomy is the surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. There are usually four parathyroid glands, each about the size of a grain of rice, that are located behind the thyroid gland in the neck.
What kind of surgery is done to remove parathyroid glands?
Parathyroid gland removal refers to a type of surgery done to remove these glands. It’s also known as a parathyroidectomy. This surgery might be used if your blood has too much calcium in it.
Can a parathyroidectomy be done without a scar?
Scarless (Transoral) Parathyroidectomy This is a newer technique for select patients that involves accessing the parathyroid glands through the mouth. This surgery leaves no visible scar since there is no incision on the outside of the neck. Parathyroidectomy: Recovery and Next Steps
Do you have to have a transoral parathyroidectomy?
Problems affecting the parathyroid glands can cause an imbalance of calcium and require removal of one or more of the glands. Traditional parathyroidectomy involves a small incision in the front of the neck; however, newer transoral (through the mouth) procedures leave no visible scar and may be an option.
How old do you have to be to have a parathyroid gland removed?
The average age of diagnosis is around 65 years. You might also need parathyroid gland removal if you have: parathyroid hyperplasia, a condition in which all four of the parathyroid glands are enlarged. Calcium blood levels can rise even if only one gland is affected. Only one parathyroid gland is involved in about 80 to 85 percent of cases.
What happens if all parathyroid glands are removed?
It depends. Most people have four parathyroids, and even one parathyroid can produce enough parathyroid hormone to keep the calcium level fine. If, however, all the parathyroid glands are removed, then a serious life-threatening low calcium level can occur, causing tetany, similar to the tetanus that tetanus shots are supposed to prevent.
When thyroid is removed do they also remove parathyroid glands?
Parathyroidectomy is surgery to remove the parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. The parathyroid glands are right behind your thyroid gland in your neck. These glands help your body control the calcium level in the blood.
Why would you need parathyroidectomy?
A parathyroidectomy is surgery to remove part or all of your parathyroid glands. You have 4 small parathyroid glands that are near the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands make a hormone that controls the amount of calcium in your blood. You may need this surgery if one or more of your parathyroid glands produces too much hormone.
How serious is parathyroid surgery?
All procedures have risks. Parathyroid surgery carries minimal risks, but vocal cord nerve damage, blood loss or infection is possible from the surgery. Your condition will be carefully monitored both during the procedure and while you are recovering.