Parathyroid Surgery HF#5665

Your Parathyroid Gland

 

 

Parathyroid glands are found near the thyroid.
Normally, these 4 glands are each the size of a grain of rice. They make a hormone that tells the body how much calcium to store in the bones and how much to have in the blood.

 

When these glands enlarge they can send out too much hormone.  This is hyperparathyroidism.  When this happens, too much calcium is in the blood cause kidney stones.  The only way to treat this is to remove the abnormal gland.and not enough is in the bones.  This can cause the bones to become weak or may

 

Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of surgery. You will have a small cut in your neck, ½ - 2 inches long.  The wound will be in the middle of your neck or to the side. You will have a local or general anesthesia during surgery. Surgery lasts 60-90 minutes. You will go home the same day or you may stay in the hospital for one night.

 

 

Surgery

 

Before surgery you will be given an injection in your IV. This is the same as the one you had for your scan. This helps locate the abnormal gland with the probe. Once the gland is taken out, we take a small blood sample from your arm or foot to check the hormone level. A decrease means all abnormal tissue is gone.

 

 

How will I feel after surgery?

 

▪ Your throat may be sore when you swallow.  This is normal. This can

  last 1-2 days.
▪ Your voice may be hoarse or you may feel that your voice gets tired.

  These changes can last for 1-2 weeks.
▪ The back of your neck may be sore from the position of your head

  during surgery.  It may feel better to use 1-2 pillows in bed.
▪ You may feel like you have a lump in your throat when you swallow. 

  This will get better after a few days but can last for a week.
▪ Sometimes patients feel a pulling in the neck muscles.  This will get

  better in 3-4 weeks. 
▪ Expect you will be back to normal in a few weeks.  When the abnormal

  gland is removed, your blood calcium level will decrease. This is

  normal. A mild form of low blood calcium can cause numbness and

  tingling in your face, lips, fingertips, or toes. If this happens to you,

  chew 4 - Tums® 500 mg. each (2000 mg. calcium carbonate).  The

  numbness and tingling should go away in 30 minutes.  If they do not go

  away in 30 minutes chew more Tums® 2000 mg. If the symptoms still

  do not go away 30 minutes after the second dose of Tums®, please

  call us.

▪ Calcium and narcotic pain pills can be constipating.  To prevent this

  problem you may want to take a stool softener each day that you use

  narcotic pain pills and until you have your first bowel movement. You

  may want to start with docusate sodium 100 mg- two times a day.

  Follow the package directions.  

 

Wound Care

 

Look at your wound daily, check for signs of an infection.
Spreading redness or swelling
Foul-smelling drainage or pus
Temperature over 100.4° F by mouth

Dr. Chen
• Your wound is closed with stitches, tape, and a clear dressing.
• The dressing is waterproof. It is OK to shower.
• Leave the tape on your wound until your next doctor visit in 6-8 days.
   Curled tape edges may be trimmed with small scissors.
• Remove the clear dressing 2 days after surgery.

 

Dr. Sippel
•  Your wound is closed with glue and tape.
• The glue is waterproof. It is OK to shower.
• The glue and tape will start to peel off in 10-14 days. Curled tape

   edges may be trimmed with small scissors.
• Leave the tape on until your next doctor visit in 10-14 days. 
 

Dr. Schneider
• Your wound is closed with glue and tape. 
• The glue is waterproof. It is OK to shower.
• The glue and tape will start to peel off in 10-14 days. Curled tape   

   edges may be trimmed with small scissors.
• Leave the tape on until your doctor visit in 10-14 days. 

Activity

▪ Most people return to work in one week
▪ Avoid straining or extreme bending of your neck
▪ Do not lift more than 20 pounds the first week.
▪ Nothing more strenuous than walking the first week
▪ No driving while you are using narcotic pain pills.
▪ You may drive once you are not using narcotic pain pills and when you 

  can turn your head from side to side (as if you are checking your blind

  spots) with no pain.
▪ No swimming or soaking in water for 14 days

 

Pain

 

Expect that your wound will be tender.  You will have narcotic pain pills to use at home. You may take Extra-Strength Tylenol® or ibuprofen, instead of the narcotic pain pills.

When to Call the Doctor

 

▪ This is rare, but if you have trouble breathing, a sudden swelling in your throat, or cannot swallow, Call 911.
▪ Numbness or tingling in your fingertips, face, lips, or toes that does not go away after two doses of Tums®.
▪ Pain that does not get better with narcotic pain pills.
▪ Signs of infection
▪ Temperature greater than 100.4°F for 2 readings, 4 hours apart.
▪ Any other symptoms that concerns you 

 

Phone Numbers

 

Surgery Clinic: 608-263-7502. This is a 24 hour number.

 

After hours, weekends and holidays ask for the doctor on call for Dr. Chen, Dr. Sippel,
Dr. Schneider.  
Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  We will call you back.

 

Toll Free: 800-323-8942

 

 

 

 

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 08/27/2012

Copyright © 08/27/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5665

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