Efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation vs. subtotal parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: No consensus has been reached on the best surgical approach for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). We evaluated the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (TPTX + AT) and subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 140 patients undergoing TPTX + AT and 64 undergoing SPTX between 2010 and 2021 in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and carried out follow-up. We compared the differences in symptoms, serological examinations, complications and mortality between the two methods, and explored the independent risk factors of secondary hyperparathyroidism recurrence. RESULTS: In short time after surgery, serum intact parathyroid hormone and calcium level was lower in TPTX + AT group than that in SPTX group (both P < 0.05). Severe hypocalcemia was more common in TPTX group (P = 0.003). The recurrent rate was 17.1% for TPTX + AT and 34.4% for SPTX (P = 0.006). There was no statistical difference in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality between the two methods. Higher preoperative serum phosphorus level (HR: 1.929 95% CI 1.045–3.563, P = 0.011) and the SPTX surgical method (HR: 2.309, 95% CI 1.276–4.176, P = 0.006) were found to be independent risk factors for SHPT recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with SPTX, TPTX + AT is more effective in reducing the recurrent risk of SHPT without increasing the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.