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Parathyroid Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid cancer it's vital that you see an experienced specialist to effectively treat your condition. Hyperparathyroidism is frequently under-diagnosed, and it may not be treated effectively without the use of surgery to remove affected glands and tumors impairing their function. Our parathyroid specialists will help you gain a better understanding of hyperparathyroidism and your treatment options available.
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What are Parathyroid Glands?

parathyroid glandsThere are four parathyroid glands located in the neck, just behind the thyroid. These glands and the thyroid are both essential parts of the endocrine system. While they share very similar names, they have completely separate functions in the body. The parathyroid glands are very small—typically about the size of an apple seed—and they are responsible for regulating the levels of calcium in the body.

Because calcium plays so many roles in the human body, from the building blocks of the skeletal system to the contraction of muscles, to the communication of nerves, even a small imbalance of this mineral can cause widespread health issues. Most commonly, calcium imbalances related to parathyroid disorders are caused by an over-activity of these glands due to the growth of non-cancerous tumors, which is known as hyperparathyroidism.

What are the symptoms of Parathyroid issues?
The symptoms of hyperparathyroidism can vary greatly, and many of them overlap with symptoms of other conditions—including common thyroid disorders. Therefore, it is important to take a broad look at a patient’s health with a complete blood panel to accurately diagnose hyperparathyroidism. Below, you can get a look at some of the most likely signs and symptoms of parathyroid malfunction, which may prompt you to seek specialized care and parathyroid treatment from The Surgery Group of Los Angeles.
  • High calcium levels
  • Low vitamin D
  • Kidney stones
  • Bone aches and pains
  • Mood and/or memory disturbances
  • Gastric reflux disease
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that causes an overactive thyroid gland. This means that the gland produces too much thyroxine. High levels of this hormone speed up the metabolism and can cause mood swings, irritability, nervousness, weakness, and heat sensitivity. Other symptoms include problems sleeping, thin skin, irregular heartbeat, sudden weight loss, and brittle hair. More often than not, these symptoms are only noticeable in older adults. In younger people, the symptoms are much more subtle.

Parathyroid Hyperplasia

Parathyroid hyperplasia is a parathyroid disease that can cause hyperparathyroidism. This condition leads to elevated parathyroid hormone levels, as well as blood calcium levels. Elevated calcium levels can cause several symptoms, including kidney stones, lethargy, constipation, and nausea.

Parathyroid Cancer

Parathyroid cancer is a rare form of the disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the parathyroid glands. Symptoms of parathyroid cancer include a lump in the neck, as well as feeling tired, weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, and extreme thirst. To diagnose this form of cancer, tests are conducted to examine the neck, as well as blood tests.

Parathyroid Adenoma

A parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor that is located on one of the parathyroid glands. This tumor causes the gland to release more parathyroid hormone, which can lead to hyperparathyroidism. Treating parathyroid adenoma requires parathyroid surgery, also known as a parathyroidectomy, to remove the tumor.

How are Parathyroid problems treated?

Because hyperparathyroidism is often a result of a benign tumor of the parathyroid glands, parathyroid surgery is often necessary to address the condition. Unlike an overactive thyroid that can be treated with medication and other conservative treatments, the parathyroid glands will not return to normal function until tumors have been removed.

Fortunately, modern surgical techniques have facilitated procedures that leave minimal scarring, with reduced damage to healthy tissues for more successful surgical outcomes. Our parathyroid surgeon Dr. Cohen and his team specialize in minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. Unlike traditional parathyroid surgery, you don’t need to worry about an unsightly scar across your neck.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy - what is MIP?

For the last few years, MIP has become the preferred method of removing tumors on the parathyroid glands. The surgery has a high success rate and a much lower complication rate when compared to traditional parathyroid surgery.

The surgery involves removing tumors from the impacted parathyroid gland. Patients who have parathyroid disease typically only have tumors on one of the glands. In the past, surgery involved opening the neck to expose all four of the glands, but, with MIP, a very small incision (less than an inch!) is used to remove the tumor. With minimally invasive surgery, there’s less risk of complication, a reduced recovery period, and a nearly invisible scar.

How long does Parathyroid surgery take?
Because of the small size of the parathyroid glands, surgery can take up to four hours. After being put to sleep under general anesthesia, your surgeon will not only need to locate the impacted gland, the tumors will need to be carefully removed to ensure there is no disruption to the surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Though an intricate surgery, complication rates are very low. After surgery, you will be able to go home. Since anesthesia lasts hours after surgery, you won’t be able to drive yourself, so be sure to have transportation available. Post-surgery, you can expect soreness and mild pain in the neck, as well as:
  • Swelling
  • Pain around the incision area
  • Tingling or numbness
These symptoms usually go away after a few weeks. Be sure to give yourself a week to heal before participating in physical activity.
Benefits & advantages of minimally invasive Parathyroidectomy

No Hospital Stay – For many, the idea of being away from home can be uncomfortable. While this surgery requires the use of general anesthesia, patients are usually able to go home after the procedure has been completed. This means no hospital stay, allowing you to recover in a familiar environment.

Quick Recovery Time – Because minimally invasive parathyroid surgery doesn’t require a large scar, the recovery time from the procedure is much quicker. This means lower levels of postoperative pain. In just a few weeks after surgery, you’ll be back to your old routine.

Minimal Scarring – If you’ve looked at traditional parathyroid surgery, chances are you’ve seen the large scar that trails across the neck. For some patients, the scar can be a huge cosmetic issue that keeps them from undergoing surgery, but, with minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, the scar is small and nearly invisible! At just about an inch long, the scar is hardly noticeable and won’t leave you feeling insecure.

Complications of Parathyroidectomy

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications to be aware of. A hematoma is a rare post-surgery risk which causes bleeding in the neck. Most hematomas occur within the first six hours of surgery but can form weeks later. To prevent a hematoma from forming, your doctor may recommend blood thinners before and after surgery.

After surgery, hoarseness can occur as a result of a laryngeal nerve injury. These nerves can become irritated during removal of the parathyroid gland. Hoarseness is temporary and usually goes away within a few weeks. In serious cases, hoarseness can last up to six weeks.

Low calcium levels can also persist after surgery because of the removal of too much parathyroid tissue or because the other parathyroid glands have become inactive. To treat low calcium, your doctor may recommend calcium supplements, as well as vitamin D. Supplementation, is usually temporary and can end as soon as the parathyroid glands return to their normal function.

What to expect during surgery

The thought of being put to sleep and having an area on your neck operated on can induce all sorts of worries and fears. You can rest assured that you are in safe hands during the duration of the procedure. Our team will work to ensure we successfully complete the operation and that you are comfortable afterward.

With parathyroid surgery, you will be unconscious after being administered general anesthesia. Because the glands are so small, this surgery can take up to four hours. Your surgeon will need to spend time locating the glands, and then carefully removing them to avoid disrupting nerves and blood vessels in the area. The complication rates for this type of surgery are extremely low.

What to expect after surgery
After surgery, you will more than likely be released to go home. You will want to ensure that a loved one can transport you to your house, as it’s unsafe to drive after surgery. There are a few side effects of surgery, including:
  • Soreness or mild pain in your neck
  • Pain in the incision area
  • Swollenness and/or bruises
  • Tingling, numbness, and tightness
These symptoms are entirely normal and may last for weeks after surgery. You will want to take it easy the first week, post-surgery. Avoid strenuous activity, as well as excessive chewing and talking, as this can irritate your incision. It’s important to get clearance from your parathyroid surgeon before exercising or participating in other physical activity.
Parathyroid surgery experts in Los Angeles

Endocrine diseases are best treated by specialists. At Surgery Group LA, we will work with you to determine the best treatment option for you. Whether it is surgery or medication, our goal is to treat your condition and get you back on the road to health and happiness.

If you have questions about surgery or want to learn what other treatment options are available, you can count on us! To learn more about treatment options in Los Angeles, schedule an appointment.

Experience matters. Our surgeons have achieved the highest standard of recognition for their expertise and skill.

More importantly, our team of world-renowned surgeons have saved countless lives, and have enabled countless more to live healthy, happy lives.

25000 +
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