Penn Medicine's parathyroid surgeons work directly with specialists in pathology, radiology, endocrinology, nephrology, medical oncology, genetic counseling and sleep medicine to take a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating your parathyroid disorder.
If you have primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery is the only cure for your disorder.
How should I prepare for a parathyroidectomy?
Your parathyroidectomy care team will give you specific instructions on when to stop eating, drinking and taking medications prior to surgery. If you don't follow their instructions, your surgery might be cancelled.
Before your parathyroidectomy, we'll use a specialized X-ray to pinpoint the the exact location of your abnormal parathyroid tissue. This makes it easier for our surgeons to precisely remove one or more of your parathyroid glands using the smallest possible incisions.
If your abnormal parathyroid gland cannot be found using the X-ray, you'll likely undergo venous sampling, where blood is drawn from veins near each parathyroid to determine which one is not functioning properly.
Your preoperative tests and procedures may also include:
- Physical exam and history
- Blood chemistry studies
- Parathyroid hormone test
- Parathyroid nuclear scan
- Sestamibi scan
- CT scan
- SPECT scan (single photon emission computed tomography scan)
- Ultrasound
- Angiogram
- Venous sampling
What is recovery like after a parathyroidectomy?
Within hours of your parathyroidectomy, you should be able to eat, drink and walk around normally. However, since your throat will be sore, you many prefer softer foods at first. We'll give you specific instructions and may prescribe calcium supplements and/or pain medication based on your individual needs.
You won't be able to lift heavy objects or perform other tasks that can strain your neck for at least one week after your surgery. Soaking or scrubbing the site of your incision is also discouraged for at least one week to allow it time to properly heal. Showering is generally allowed after about one day.
You will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon within three weeks of your parathyroidectomy. At Penn Medicine, we offer appointments via video conference both before and after parathyroidectomies. That means you only have to travel to Philadelphia on the day of your surgery if you have a normal preparation and recovery.
What are the side effects of a parathyroidectomy?
You may experience temporary changes to your voice, including hoarseness, which generally improves within the first month after your surgery.
You may also experience temporary low blood calcium levels, which can often be managed with calcium supplements. As your remaining parathyroid glands begin to produce enough parathyroid hormone to account for the missing gland or glands, you'll likely be able to discontinue supplement use.
Will I need to follow a special diet after a parathyroidectomy?
You won't need to follow a special diet after your parathyroidectomy. You'll likely be able to resume your normal diet within hours of your procedure. However, you might prefer soft foods — such as ice cream — in the first few days after your surgery, as your throat may be sore.