UW Health endocrine surgeons often perform minimally-invasive parathyroidectomy surgery as treatment for hyperparthyroidism.

 

 

About one hour before a patient undergoes radioguided minimally-invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP), also known as or "targeted" parathyroidectomy, the patient receives an injection of the radiolabelled compound. During surgery, the surgeon will use a small probe to detect the exact location of the enlarged parathyroid gland (pictured at left).

 

The surgeon will then make a small 0.5 inch to two-inch incision directly over the parathyroid gland. The surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia.

 

After removal of the enlarged parathyroid gland, and while the patient is still under anesthesia, the surgeon will perform a blood test checking the patient's parathyroid hormone level in the operating room. This blood test will allow the surgeon to confirm that all enlarged parathyroid glands have been removed before the patient leaves the operating room.

 

 

Most patients go home the same day of surgery, but some choose to stay overnight in the hospital.