Parathyroid Gland Surgery

Parathyroid surgery involves the removal of one or more overactive or diseased parathyroid glands to treat hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid tumors. Dr. Antony Raj James has specialized training in head and neck surgery and experience in parathyroid gland surgery.

What are the Parathyroid Glands?

The parathyroid glands are four small glands located behind the thyroid gland in the neck. They regulate calcium levels in the blood by producing parathyroid hormone (PTH). Overactivity of one or more parathyroid glands leads to elevated calcium levels (hypercalcaemia), a condition known as hyperparathyroidism.

Conditions Requiring Parathyroid Surgery

• Primary Hyperparathyroidism – Most commonly caused by a benign parathyroid adenoma (single overactive gland). Surgery involves removal of the affected gland (parathyroidectomy).
• Multigland Disease – Overactivity of multiple glands (hyperplasia), requiring removal of three-and-a-half or all four glands with selective autotransplantation.
• Secondary/Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism – Occurring in the context of chronic kidney disease or after kidney transplant.
• Parathyroid Carcinoma – A rare malignancy of the parathyroid gland requiring surgical resection.

Surgical Approach

Preoperative localization of the abnormal parathyroid gland(s) using ultrasound and sestamibi scan guides the surgical approach. Dr. James performs focused parathyroidectomy for single-gland disease and bilateral neck exploration when multigland disease is suspected. Intraoperative PTH monitoring can confirm adequate removal of the overactive gland(s) during surgery.

Parathyroid Preservation During Thyroid Surgery

Careful preservation of normal parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery is an important consideration. When parathyroid glands are inadvertently devascularized during thyroid or neck surgery, autotransplantation into the sternocleidomastoid muscle may be performed to preserve parathyroid function.

Multidisciplinary Care

Parathyroid conditions are managed in coordination with endocrinology and nephrology teams where appropriate. Dr. James works within a multidisciplinary framework to ensure optimal pre-operative preparation and post-operative calcium management.

Why Choose Dr. Antony Raj James?

• Specialized Head & Neck Surgery Training – MCh in Head & Neck Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital/ACTREC, Mumbai.
• Parathyroid Surgery Experience – Focused parathyroidectomy and bilateral neck exploration.
• Meticulous Surgical Technique – Careful parathyroid gland identification and preservation during all neck surgery.
• Multidisciplinary Approach – Coordinated care with endocrinology and nephrology teams.