Surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients: an institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly fragile patients presents clinical difficulties due to severity of symptoms and related comorbidity. The optimal surgical approach for this group of patients is still debated.

AIM: The aim of the study was to define the optimal technique of parathyroidectomy in elderly patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis in a series of 253 patients including 35 elderly individuals at a single institution was carried out. Postoperative parathyroid hormone decrease, surgical complications and symptoms control were analyzed for all patients in relation to the types of parathyroidectomy performed.

RESULTS: In elderly patients, total parathyroidectomy was the most used approach. Subtotal parathyroidectomy was mostly reserved for younger patients suitable for kidney transplantation. No elderly patients treated with total parathyroidectomy were autotransplanted. No significant difference in surgical complications was observed between younger and elderly patients and considering the different procedures. Adequate symptom control after surgery was achieved in almost 90% of patients. A limited rate of recurrence requiring repeat surgery was observed only after subtotal parathyroidectomy.

DISCUSSION: Considering the features of all types of parathyroidectomy, very low recurrence rate, contained postoperative hypocalcemia and limited complications following total parathyroidectomy, might represent specific advantages for elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Total parathyroidectomy without parathyroid transplantation is safe for elderly patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and a good alternative to the well-established total parathyroidectomy with autografting.