Subcutaneous injection is a simple and reproducible option to restore parathyroid function after total parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

BackgroundSecondary hyperparathyroidism is a common clinical problem seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. In patients with severe persistent hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomies are often required.ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of total parathyroidectomy followed by subcutaneous injection of parathyroid autograft compared with surgical implantation.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 132 patients with confirmed diagnoses of ESRD treated with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, with secondary hyperparathyroidism who had undergone total parathyroidectomies. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, including preoperative and postoperative intact parathyroid hormone levels were recorded and compared between patients who had undergone subcutaneous injection or surgical implantation of autograft.ResultsFrom February 2005 to February 2012, 132 patients who had undergone total parathyroidectomies were included in our study. To compare the techniques of subcutaneous injection and surgical implantation, pre- and postoperative biochemistry was recorded and analyzed. Preoperative biochemistry was comparable in both groups. However, autograft recovery was significantly faster in the group with subcutaneous injection compared with surgical implantation (P = .03). Median time to parathyroid recovery was 2 months for injection compared with 9 months for implantation. There was no remarkable difference in the recurrence rates between the 2 groups.ConclusionSubcutaneous injection of parathyroid tissue is a feasible and simple alternative to the more commonly used method of surgical implantation.