Parathyroid Exploration

In certain situations when a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism has a non-localizing sestamibi scan or a patient has secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism, a parathyroid exploration must be performed.  This is a procedure where the typical locations for parathyroid glands are explored and the abnormal gland or glands are removed.  In cases where all four glands are problematic (i.e. parathyroid hyperplasia or secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism) then 3 and ½ glands are removed and ½ of one gland is reimplanted in one of the central neck strap muscles for monitoring.  Dr. Jerome Vener and Dr. Alen Cohen in Los Angeles perform this type of rare and delicate surgery rather routinely.