Thyroid and parathyroid surgery

What are the parathyroid glands?

The parathyroid glands are four small glands located in your neck, close to the thyroid gland. Their role is to regulate calcium levels in your blood, which are essential for healthy bones, muscles and nerves.

If there is a concern about your calcium levels, you will usually be referred to an endocrinologist for a full assessment and diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery to remove the affected gland(s) is commonly recommended as a curative treatment.

Who performs the operation?

At Sulis Hospital, parathyroid surgery is carried out by our specialist Head and Neck consultants, Mr Stuart Gillett and Mr Andrew Carswell. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes between one and two hours.

Preparing for your operation

You can help optimise your recovery and reduce the risk of complications by:
•    Stopping smoking at least four weeks before surgery
•    Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active
•    Informing your consultant if you take blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban or dabigatran.

The procedure

The parathyroid glands sit close to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls your voice box. There is a small risk (around 5%) of temporary irritation or bruising to this nerve, which may cause a hoarse, weak or breathy voice. In most cases, this improves over a period of weeks to months.

After your operation

Recovery is usually straightforward. Most patients are advised to:
•    Take around one week off work
•    Avoid driving for at least one week
•    Only resume driving when you can comfortably and safely move your neck.

Follow-up care

A follow-up appointment will be arranged with your consultant to review your recovery and discuss the results of your histology.