Abstract

Objective: Persistent primary hyperparathyroidism due to failed parathyroidectomy is an uncommon but challenging problem as re-operation carries higher complication and failure rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors responsible for persistent hyperparathyroidism.
Material and Method: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with primary hyperparathyroidism of whom underwent parathyroidectomy in our surgical department between 2000 and 2010. Patients underwent initial parathyroidectomy with at least 6 months of follow-up were included and were divided into two groups according to whether or not persistent disease. Patients in group 1 were not persistent, patients in group 2 were persistent. Both groups were compared in terms of sex, operation type, presence of ectopia, multipl gland disease and the presence of nodular thyroid disease. Groups were compared with Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Relative risk was calculated.
Results: In the period of past 10-year, 159 parathyroid operations for primary hyperparathyroidism were performed in our department. In total, 132 patients met inclusion criteria, and the total success rate of parathyroidectomy was 97.72%. The mean age was 54.8+12.8 year and 81.1% were female. Among them, 124 patients (93.9%) (group 1) had no persistent disease, and 8 patients (6.1%) (group 2) had persistent disease. Ectopic glands and multigland disease were significantly higher in group 2 (p=0.001, p=0.0001 respectively) than group 1. The risk for persisten disease was increased 11.81-fold for patients who had ectopic gland and 32.29-fold for patients with double adenoma compared with patients with single adenoma. Operative approach and goiter did not have an impact on persistent disease.
Conclusion: Despite successful surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism, acceptable rate of persistent disease may develop. Multiple gland disease, especially double adenoma and ectopic placement are the most important risk factors for persistent disease. Secondary surgery can be cured at a satisfactory rate with careful preoperative evaluation and imaging methods applied of patients with persistent disease.

Key words: Double adenoma,ectopic gland, persistant hyperparathyroidism, primary parathyroidism