Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy

One hundred thirty seven cases of minimally invasive video-assisted parathy roidectomy (MIVAP) for primary hyperparathyroidism performed during the las t 3 years are analyzed. All patients were referred for primary hyperparathyroidism and had undergon e a pre-operative localization study. The procedure is performed by a gasle ss video-assisted technique through a single 1.5-cm central skin incision a bove the sternal notch. Quick intraoperative PTH assay was used in 134 case s (97.8%). Mean operative time was 54.3 minutes. The conversion rate was 8.8%. It was registered one recurrent nerve palsy (0.7%) and one case of persistent hype rparathyroidism. Two thyroid lobectomies were associated using the same min imally invasive access. The cosmetic results were excellent. MIVAP can boast the same results as traditional surgery offering additional advantages such as a better cosmetic result and less postoperative discomf ort. Not all cases of PHPT can be eligible for MIVAP but in this series mor e than 70% of the patients were successfully operated on with this techniqu e.