Observation of the efficacy of parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients: a retrospective study

PURPOSE: Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is commonly performed as a treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PTX in patients with SHPT who underwent hemodialysis. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical treatment of 80 hemodialysis patients with SHPT who underwent either total PTX with forearm auto transplantation (TPTX + AT) or subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX). We compared the changes in biochemical indices before and after surgery as well as the attenuation of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in the TPTX and SPTX groups. We also evaluated clinical symptoms and quality of life using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Short Form-36 Questionnaire (SF-36) before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Serum iPTH and serum phosphorus levels decreased significantly after surgery in 80 patients with SHPT (P < 0.05). Within one month of surgery, there was a difference in iPTH levels between the TPTX + AT and SPTH groups, but there was no difference over time. Patients experienced significant improvement in their clinical symptoms of restless leg syndrome, skin itching, bone pain, and joint pain at 1 week post operation (P < 0.001). Quality of life significantly improved after surgery, as assessed by SF-36 scores (P < 0.05). Hypocalcemia was the most common postoperative complication, occurring in 35% of patients. Within the first 12 months post surgery, 5 patients had a recurrence. CONCLUSION: PTX is effective in rapidly reducing iPTH levels, improving calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders, and enhancing patients’ quality of life by safely and effectively relieving clinical symptoms.