A new and effective procedure leaving a small scar
Theatre time is around 45 minutes
THE PROCEDURE
If a solitary parathyroid gland is identified, surgery can be performed through a small incision (approx 3 cm). This is called a Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy. The procedure is usually carried out under general anaesthetic (GA) as a day case. In older patients who are too frail to tolerate a GA, the procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic.
A nerve monitor is used to help find and protect the nerve which lies close to the parathyroid glands. Damage to this nerve can result in voice change.
Permanent voice change is an extremely rare event and has never occurred in Mr Kirkland’s practice.
AFTERCARE
The continuous stitch under the skin requires removal one week after the operation. To aid wound healing it is beneficial to massage the scar twice a day for at least 2 months, starting 2 weeks after surgery.
Recovery is usually extremely quick – most patients report a reduction in their symptoms within a few days of surgery.
Mr Kirkland’s success rate for this operation is in excess of 95%. Success is defined by normalisation of the calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in the blood.
He also recommends a calcium blood test on an annual basis after successful surgery, as there is a small chance one of the other parathyroid glands can become overactive.