Focused Parathyroidectomy Under Local Anesthesia - A Feasibility Study

Feasibility of focused parathyroidectomy in developing countries-a scoping review

Background

The mainstay of treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism involves a parathyroidectomy, which depending on the number of affected parathyroid glands and the availability of resources, may involve a bilateral neck exploration with four gland assessment or a minimally invasive, focused parathyroidectomy (FP) necessitating pre-operative localisation. The feasibility of the latter is yet to be demonstrated in developing countries.

Methods

A scoping review was performed with published literature evaluated from the past 15 years (2007 & onwards). Articles were screened and only included if they discussed FP, preoperative localisation, economic impact and they originated from a developing country (upper middle or lower middle-income).

Results

A total of 18 articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising seven developing countries (two upper middle-income and five lower middle-income countries). Preoperative localisation was performed in all studies, with overall accuracy rates of 75.5% for ultrasound and 85.7% for 99mTc sestamibi. A total 1,202 patients (70%) had FP. Five hundred and fifty-five patients underwent FP without intraoperative adjuncts and 647 underwent FP with intraoperative adjuncts, with adjusted cure rates of 95.3% and 99.2% respectively. Overall cure rate for FP was 96.4%.

Conclusions

With access to accurate preoperative localisation and excellent cure rates with and without intraoperative adjuncts, we conclude that FP is feasible in developing countries.

Local anesthetics for the Nephrologist

Several specialists in medicine use local anesthetics. In patients with kidney disease, these agents are used during catheter insertions for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, arteriovenous fistula and graft procedures, kidney transplantation, parathyroidectomy, kidney biopsies, and dental and skin procedures. Patients on chronic hemodialysis use a topical application prior to use of needles for arteriovenous fistula cannulation before starting dialysis. They are also used to manage acute and chronic pain conditions, in regional nerve blockade and in multi-modal enhanced recovery protocols. Despite their frequent use by both physicians and patients, data on the use of local anesthetics in patients with kidney impairment are not well reported. This review will summarize the use of local anesthetics in chronic kidney disease, describe their pharmacology and the impact of lower estimated glomerular filtration rate on their pharmacokinetics, and suggest dose regulation in those with kidney dysfunction.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Parathyroid Adenomas: Safety and Efficacy in a Study of 10 Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of parathyroid adenoma in surgically unfit patients with hypercalcemia because of hyperparathyroidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of hospital records from Jan 2012 to Dec 2018 revealed 10 patients, who had undergone ablation for solitary parathyroid adenoma. All 10 patients suffered from hyperparathyroidism because of parathyroid adenoma, resulting in hypercalcemia. These patients were surgically unfit because of comorbidities. Pre-ablation serum calcium and serum parathormone levels were measured and compared with the levels after the ablation.

RESULTS

Mean serum calcium level decreased significantly from 2.81 ± 0.17 mmol/L pre-ablation to 2.42 ± 0.17 mmol/L 72 h after ablation and parathyroid hormone levels became normal in all patients within 7 days. Seven patients remained normo-calcaemic at 6 months follow-up with no signs and symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. One patient with pancreatitis died after 15 days because of pre-existing multi-organ failure. Two patients were lost to follow-up before 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation of parathyroid adenoma is a safe and effective alternate treatment method for symptomatic hypercalcemia in surgically unfit patients suffering from primary hyperparathyroidism because of parathyroid adenoma.