Parathyroid Experts Warn of Lower Cure Rates and Need for Long Term Followup for One-Side Parathyroid Surgery

Surgeons caution that operating on one side of the neck does not have the long term success once thought

News provided by

May 29, 2012, 09:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Douglas Politz, MD one of the world's most experienced parathyroid surgeons presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology this weekend the findings of a landmark study showing that one-side mini-parathyroid surgery does not live up to the hype it has been given over the past decade. In a dramatic about face, Dr. Politz and his colleagues at the Norman Parathyroid Center who have been advocates of unilateral or one-side parathyroid surgery presented long-term data showing cure rates are substantially lower for the smaller operation.

"Our group is credited with developing the methodology and techniques used in mini-parathyroid surgery," stated Dr. Politz. "We were very strong advocates of the smaller one-side operation for years, however, 18-year followup in 16,500 patients shows that cure rates are not what we had hoped and at least 12% will need a second parathyroid operation within 10 years. These findings have caused us to abandon one-side parathyroid surgery."

The 21st Annual Scientific and Clinic Congress of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists is the largest meeting of endocrinology specialists. "We were honored to be chosen to present our data to our endocrinology colleagues," stated Dr. James Norman, a co-author on the paper. "Surgeons need to stop hyping one-side parathyroid surgery. We all need to stop getting so many scans and do what is best for the patients. Fortunately, we have developed the means to evaluate all four parathyroid glands in less than 20 minutes in almost all patients."

The take home message for practicing endocrinologists is to know how many parathyroid glands the surgeon evaluated. If all four were assessed, then the patient can be presumed cured and long-term followup is not necessary. If all four parathyroid glands were not assessed, then that patient must be seen annually forever. According the Politz, the choice is very clear and patients should expect that parathyroid glands on both sides of the neck are assessed during parathyroid surgery.

About the Norman Parathyroid Center. Located in Tampa, Florida, The Norman Parathyroid Center is the world's leading facility for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the parathyroid glands and hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid.com is recognized as the leading authority on hyperparathyroidism, an illness caused by parathyroid tumors located in the neck which affect one in 1000 people causing high blood calcium, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression, and kidney stones, among other conditions.

Media Contact: Callie Williford, 813-972-0000

SOURCE Norman Parathyroid Center