Contents:
- Medical Video: Parathyroid Surgery | UCLA Endocrine Surgery
- What should I know before undergoing parathyroidectomy?
- What should I do before undergoing parathyroidectomy?
Medical Video: Parathyroid Surgery | UCLA Endocrine Surgery
Definition
What is the Parathyroid Gland?
Normally, humans have four parathyroid glands in the neck. The main function of this gland is to control the balance of calcium in the blood by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). Problems can occur if one or more parathyroid glands are overactive, causing an increase in calcium levels. The most common symptom is bone pain.
When do I need to undergo parathyroidectomy?
Parathyroidectomy is performed when high calcium levels cause hyperparathyroidism (such as kidney stones, osteoporosis, or fractures), or if the patient is relatively young. After undergoing parathyroidectomy, the risk of permanent damage to bone, kidney or heart can be reduced.
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing parathyroidectomy?
The success rate of surgery depends on various factors, such as the patient's response to surgery, the anesthesia given, and the healing process after the surgery itself. Hyperparathyroidism may not be cured and patients experience postoperative complications. In addition, the results of surgery also depend on the medical condition of the patient before surgery.
Process
What should I do before undergoing parathyroidectomy?
In the surgical preparation stage, make sure you tell your doctor about your health condition, the medications you are taking, as well as all kinds of allergies you have. The anesthetist will explain the anesthesia procedure and give further instructions. In general, you are required to fast for six hours before the surgery is carried out. However, you may be allowed to consume drinks like coffee a few hours before the surgery.
What is the process of parathyroidectomy?
Parathyroidectomy is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes about one hour. At this stage, the surgeon will make an incision in the neck on one of the skin folds to remove the enlarged parathyroid gland.
What should I do after undergoing parathyroidectomy?
You can go home after one to two days after surgery. Wounds may recover after two weeks and you can go back to work and move. Regular exercise is also proven to accelerate the healing process. But before deciding to exercise, you should ask for a doctor's advice. It does not rule out the possibility that normal glands that are not removed when surgery becomes active later on.
Complications
What complications can occur?
Each procedure must have its own risks, including parathyroidectomy. The surgeon will explain all kinds of risks that may occur after surgery. Common complications that can occur after surgery are the effects of post-anesthesia, excessive bleeding, or the spread of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
For parathyroidectomy, complications that can occur include:
● sound changes
● difficulty breathing
● calcium levels decrease
● operation failure
You can reduce the risk of complications by following the doctor's directions before surgery, such as fasting and stopping taking certain drugs.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
