Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery

Background: Minimally invasive access for the treatment of primary hyperpar athyroidism is becoming widespread, but several different approaches have b een proposed in the literature. Methods: We describe the three main types of mini-invasive parathyroidectom y, with particular attention to the gasless video-assisted procedure, which is now routinely performed at our institution. Results: Eighty-nine patients with a preoperatively localized single adenom a were successfully treated. Operative time was 58 mine, and there were onl y five conversions. Discussion: After comparing the different approaches de scribed in Literature, we conclude that mini-invasive parathyroidectomy is feasible and can provide additional benefits not available with traditional surgery. At present, however, this operation can be recommended only for p atients with sporadic disease, localized lesions, and absence of goiter and prior neck surgery.