Outcomes following parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease: a single‐centre study

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BACKGROUND: Surgical parathyroidectomy may be required for severe and refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Parathyroidectomy is associated with long-term survival benefit despite an increase in short-term morbidity and mortality. Global variation in practice exists, with limited Australian data on outcomes following parathyroidectomy. AIM: To evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing surgical parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for SHPT between January 2010 and December 2019 at a single tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Australia. Biochemical markers and medications were assessed 12 months pre- and post-surgery. Clinical outcomes, including hospital readmission, cardiovascular events and mortality were assessed following surgery. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 129 patients underwent parathyroidectomy for SHPT (mean age 50.7 ± 15 years; 109 (85%) on dialysis). Significant immediate post-operative complications were seen in eight (6%) patients, requiring admission to the intensive care unit (n = 6) or return to theatre (n = 2). Within the first 6 months, 24 (19%) patients required hospital readmission. Within 12 months post-parathyroidectomy, 100 (78%) and 103 (80%) patients experienced at least one episode of hypercalcaemia (corrected calcium >2.6 mmol/L) or hypocalcaemia (corrected calcium <2.1 mmol/L) respectively. Over a 12-month period, there were six (5%) deaths and eight (6%) patients experienced a major cardiovascular event. CONCLUSION: Significant fluctuations in serum calcium levels are common post-parathyroidectomy; however, long-term morbidity and mortality in our cohort were lower than previously reported, highlighting that parathyroidectomy in a carefully selected cohort is safe for severe SHPT refractory to medical treatment.