Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) with local analgesia is an outpatient procedure to treat hyperparathyroidism. This hormonal disorder occurs when one or more of the four parathyroid glands becomes enlarged and overactive, producing excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH), the hormone that controls calcium levels in the blood and bones.
Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy With Local Analgesia
Too much PTH can lead to bone loss, kidney malfunction and other problems. In about 85 percent of hyperparathyroidism cases, the cause is a benign tumor on one of the parathyroid glands. Surgery to remove the gland cures most cases.
At UCSF, our goal is to perform this surgery with as little pain, scarring and disruption to your life as possible. That’s why we offer MIP as an alternative to conventional parathyroidectomy, which is done under general anesthesia and requires an incision about 1 to 2 inches long. During MIP, the patient receives mild sedation and localized pain relief, and the surgeon makes a 2- to 3-centimeter incision. The procedure takes only about 20 minutes, PTH levels typically return to normal within 15 minutes, and calcium levels return to normal within 24 hours.
Without general anesthesia, patients can usually go home within a few hours. Compared to the traditional procedure, they generally have less postoperative pain and are able to return to normal activities more quickly. And the small incision leaves only a small scar, which for many patients is barely visible.
