Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) testing can be performed rapidly, directly
in the operating room, using the QuiCK-Pak System (Nichols Institute Diagn
ostics, San Juan Capistrano, CA) or in a central laboratory using the IMMUL
ITE Immunoassay System and Turbo PTH assay (Diagnostic Products, Los Angele
s, CA). Correlation between parathyroid hormone values obtained on EDTA pla
sma samples using these systems was good (r = 0.84); at 20-minutes after ex
cision of a suspected hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland diagnostic agreeme
nt between the two systems was 100%. Based on 50 parathyroid gland surgerie
s for each of a 3-year contract period, the cost of intraoperative vs centr
al laboratory PTH testing per surgery was $760 and $360, respectively. Intr
aoperative parathyroid hormone testing using the QuiCK-Pak System provides
faster, more reliable turnaround time for intraoperative PTH results and ha
s other advantages over central laboratory PTH testing during parathyroid g
land surgery.