Annals of Pediatric Surgery, Vol 3, No 2, April 2007 PP 69-74

Original Article

Tertiary in Children on Chronic Dialysis: Role of Surgery H. A. Saafan, M. A. Salam, I. A. Elshafey, H. A. Kader, A. Fayez Hamza Pediatric Surgery Unit, Ain Shams University, Egypt

Background/ Purpose: Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is common in patients with renal disease. These patients may require operation for this disease if it cannot be controlled by medical therapy. Due to lack of renal transplantation in most of our patients they continue to have renal failure, so the risk of recurrence and re-operation is high. Materials & Methods: Seventeen patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism underwent parathyroidectomy in the paediatric surgery unit, Ain-Shams University. Serum concentrations were measured using either radioimmunoassay or chemo-illuminometric assay. Patients had preoperative localization studies with U/S, C-T scanning and radionuclide scanning. These patients were followed up by serum calcium, phosphorus and Serum parathyroid hormone concentrations. Results: Fifteen patients, 6 to 16 years, had end-stage renal disease and two patients had undergone parathyroidectomy post renal transplantation. All 17 patients had elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Fifteen patients had hyperplasia; 2 patients had single adenoma. Two patients required re-operation for recurrent hyperparathyroidism 24 months after his initial parathyroidectomy. Conclusion: Patients with end-stage renal disease are prone to abnormalities of calcium metabolism. They frequently develop parathyroid hyperplasia. Recurrence can occur following operation because of missed gland or continuing renal failure. Index Word: tertiary hyperparathyroidism, renal diseases

INTRODUCTION hronic renal failure results in a decrease in the parathyroid disease in patients with chronic renal C excretion of dietary phosphorus. The resulting failure. These treatments include better control of hyperphosphatemia leads to decreased plasma serum phosphate by: 1- decreasing absorption of calcium concentration. There is also impaired renal dietary phosphate by oral administration of conversion of 25-hydroxycalcipherol to 1, 25- phosphate binders; 2- controlling the calcium dihydroxycalciferol (vitamin D3), which results in concentration of the dialysate to prevent loss of decreased intestinal absorption of calcium. The calcium during dialysis; and 3- prophylactic decreased calcium, in serum, signals the parathyroid administration of vitamin D or its bioactive gland to release parathyroid hormone (PTH) . 1,2 metabolite, 1, 25 dihydroxycalcipherol. Other metabolic alterations associated with chronic Despite these attempts at prevention, parathyroid renal failure also lead to hyperparathyroidism. disease is common in patients with renal failure, and Metabolic acidosis causes increased serum PTH and approximately 5% to 10% of patients with renal vitamin D concentrations. 1-3 The better understanding failure require parathyroidectomy. 4,5 The renal failure of these metabolic alterations has led to improved can be corrected by kidney transplantation, and the prophylactic treatment to decrease the incidence of parathyroid disease may be relieved as a result. The

Correspondence to: Hatem Saafan M.D. Pediatric Surgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Saafan, HA et al - parathyroid disease may become autonomous, syndrome in one. Two of our patients received renal however, and some patients will require transplants; they had parathyroidectomy 1 and 1.5 parathyroidectomy even after transplantation re- years after transplantation. establishes normal renal function. The indications for parathyroidectomy were This retrospective study was carried out to review the intractable symptoms consistent with results of parathyroidectomy for patients with chronic hyperparathyroidism that could not be controlled by renal failure at Ain Shams university hospitals. medical management. Bone pain was the most common symptom leading to the operation. Many

symptoms such as fatigue, emotional changes, and PATIENTS AND METHODS personality changes were also resent (Fig .1). These symptoms were associated with elevated PTH level We performed parathyroidectomy in 17 patients with and inability to control serum calcium and phosphate tertiary hyperparathyroidism during a 6-years period concentrations by medical management. between, 2000, and 2006. The original pathology was obstructive uropathy in 8, glomerulonephritis in 6, haemolytic uremic syndrome in 2 and Alport

Fig 1a,b. Bone disease.

Fig 2a,b. Radionuclide scanning.

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Serum parathyroid hormone concentrations were All patients had elevated PTH levels. The mean intact measured in several ways. Early in this series the c- PTH level was 644± 894 pg/mL. The mean serum terminal or n-terminal radioimmunoassay was used calcium was 11. 2 ± 1.1 mg/dL and the mean to measure PTH concentrations. Most tests, however, phosphate was 5.8 ± 2.7 mg/dL. measured intact PTH concentrations using a chemo- Four glands were identified at surgery in 15 patients, illuminometric assay. All patients had preoperative three glands in two. The first 15 patients had three localization studies with U/S, C-T scanning and glands removed with biopsy from the normal technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scintigraphy . (Fig2). remaining gland (which was the upper right in 7 Parathyroidectomy was performed through a low patients; the upper left in five patients and the lower cervical collar incision. Platysma flaps were raised, left in the remaining three). One of the remaining two and the strap muscles were separated in the midline patients required re-operation 2 years later because but were not divided in 13 patients (Fig .3). In the their calcium level did not fall. The remaining gland other 4 cases we approached the parathyroid glands was identified at the second operation and excised. through the medial border of the sternomastoids The last patient had only 2 glands removed, and the (Fig.4). An attempt was made to identify the four third one proved to be fatty tissue at pathology and parathyroid glands in all patients. The thyroid gland the patient had recurrence and also needed re- was completely mobilized when needed to help surgery. Only in one patient; we had performed facilitate identification of the parathyroid glands. excision of 2 parathyroid glands from a mediastinal Biopsies of all removed parathyroid glands were position but through the same neck incision. examined by frozen section to confirm the presence of Fifteen patients had been proved by histopathology to parathyroid tissue. We generally preformed complete have hyperplasia. The remaining two patients had excision of three parathyroid glands (Fig .5). The single adenoma (both were affecting the lower right gland that appeared to be most normal was generally gland). Four patients had transient hypocalcaemia selected to be left and marked by a silk suture. We (<8.0 mg/dL). One patient died after 1.5 year as a did not perform any re-implantation of the result of his end stage renal condition. into the brachioradialis muscle.

Recurrent hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed by an elevated serum PTH concentration and inability to DISCUSSION control serum calcium and phosphorus The metabolic derangements associated with chronic concentrations by standard medical therapy (vitamin renal failure can lead to secondary D3, phosphate binders, and supplemental calcium). hyperparathyroidism. Frequently, secondary The mean standard deviation is given as the measure hyperparathyroidism can be controlled by diet and of central tendency for all data. The Chi-square test administration of phosphate binders, and calcium was used for statistical comparison. and vitamin D3 supplements. Even with this medical regimen some patients ultimately require

parathyroidectomy for this condition15-21-22. RESULTS The indication for parathyroidectomy in our patients Of the 17 patients, 8 were boys and 9 were girls. Their was documented PTH hyper secretion and symptoms age ranged from 6 to 16 years (mean 11.0) consistent with hyperparathyroidism that could not be controlled by medical management. Bone pain was Parathyroidectomy was performed on an average of the most common symptom leading to operation. 4.2 years after beginning dialysis. Two patients who Many symptoms such as fatigue, emotional changes, had undergone renal transplantation; one had and personality changes that can also be associated parathyroidectomy 24 months after renal with hyperparathyroidism were also found in many transplantation (The creatinine was 1.6 ± 0.4 mg/dL); patients with a variety of chronic diseases (and the other was operated upon after 12 months. Bone frequently in individuals without any apparent pain was the most common symptom. Other disease). symptoms included fatigue, joint pains, weakness, and renal stones

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Fig 3. Strap muscles were separated in the midline. Fig 4. Approach through the medial border of the sternomastoids.

Fig 5a,b Excision of three parathyroid glands.

100 80 60 40 20 Symptoms 0 Bone pain Fatigue Joint pain Renal stones Psychiatric troubles

Fig 6. Ratios of the presenting symptoms in the 17 patients.

The great majority of patients who require operation parathyroidectomy with re-implantation of had hyperplasia, as did 15 of our 17 patients. parathyroid tissue into the muscle or subtotal Hyperplasia can be treated by total parathyroidectomy 6-7-8-10-13-17. We generally prefer,

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even in adenoma, to perform subtotal 4. Rothmund M, Wagner PK, SchaA C: Subtotal parathyroidectomy. This highlights the importance of Parathyroidectomy versus total Parathyroidectomy and frozen sections during the surgery to minimize the auto-transplancation in secondary hyperparathyroidism; a incidence of recurrence. Should recurrent randomized trial. Worid J Sui^rg. 15:745-750, 1991. hyperparathyroidism occur, we believe it is feasible 5. Higgins RM, Richardson AJ, Ratcliffe PJ, et al: Total and safe to remove the remaining parathyroid gland Parathyroidectomy alone or with autograft for renal from the neck with minimal risk of injury to the hyperparathyroidism? Q J Med. 79:323-332, 1991. recurrent laryngeal nerve. In either case, one 6. Tagaki H, Tominaga Y, Uchida K, et al: Subtotal versus attempts to leave an adequate amount of tissue so total Parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for that the patient will be neither hyper parathyroid nor secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. hypo parathyroid 19. Nevertheless, the remaining Ann Swurg. 200:18-23, 1984. parathyroid tissue is subject to the same metabolic 7. Mallette L£E, Eisenberg KL, Schwaitzberg SD, et al: Total aberrations as before the operation. Furthermore, the Parathyroidectomy and autogenously parathyroid graft parathyroid tissue left behind is not normal, having placement for treatment of hyperparathyroidism due to been already stimulated by the abnormal metabolic chronic renal failure. Am j J surg. 146:727-732, 1983. state associated with renal failure. It may not be 8. Dubost C, ZingraffJ, Drueke TB: Total Parathyroidectomy surprising, therefore, if followed up long enough, this with auto-transplantation in hemodialysis patients. Nephrol left parathyroid tissue can hypertrophy and again Dial Trans-plant. 3:356-, 1988. cause hyperparathyroidism 11. 9. Nichols P, Owen JP, Ellis HA, et al: Parathyroidectomy in If one excludes the 2 patients who had recurrent chronic renal failure: a nine-year follow-up study. Q J Med. hyperparathyroidism, none of the 13 patients with 77:1175-1193, 1990. end stage renal disease required re-operation for 10. Konets Z, Magen H, Kraus L, et al: Total recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism. Other Parathyroidectomy with auto transplantation in studies 4"19 have reported recurrence rates of hemodialysed patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism between 0% and 80%, and 8% hyperparathyroidism: should it be abandoned? Nepfhro to 14% require re-operation 9-12-14-16-18-20-23. In many Dial Trans-plant. 2:341-346, 1987. series, however, the follow-up period is short (less 11. Hampi H, Steinmuller T, Stabell U, et al: Recurrent than 7 years) and incomplete. Because recurrent hyperparathyroidism after total Parathyroidectomy and hyperparathyroidism may take a long time to auto transplantation in patients with long-term develop, short follow-up periods may not give the hemodialysis. Miner Electrolyte Metab. 17:256-260, 1991. 12 true rate of recurrence . 12. Henry J-FR, Denizot A, Audiffret J, et al: Results of re- Successful renal transplantation corrects the renal operation for persistent or recurrent secondary failure and the metabolic aberrations that lead to hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients. World J ] Surg. 14:303-307, 1990. hyperparathyroidism. It is advisable to wait 6 to 12 months after renal transplantation before performing 13. Gagne ER, Urena P, Leite-Silva S, et al: Short- and long- parathyroidectomy to see whether correction of the term efficacy of total Parathyroidectomy with immediate renal failure will alleviate the hyperparathyroidism autografting compared with subtotal Parathyroidectomy in hemodialysis patients. Am Soc NefArol Nephrol. 3:1008- 1017, 1992. REFERENCES 14. Kessler M, Avila JM, Renoult E, et al: Re-operation for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. 1. Ricz E, Matthias S, Seidel A, et al: Disturbed calcium Nepnro Dial Transplant. 6:176-179, I991. metabolism in renal failure. Pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Kidney Int. 42(suppl 38):537-542, 1992. 15. Besselt JR, Proudman WD, Parkyn RF: Disney APS. Parathyroidectomy in the treatment of patients with chronic 2. Rahaimmox R, Silver J: The molecular basis of secondary renal failure. Br J Surg. 80:40-42, 1993. hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. Israel J Med Sci. 30:26-31, 1994. 16. Kinnaert P, Vanherwegghem J, Fuss M, et al: Total Parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autograft for renal 3. Lu KC, Lin SH, Yu PC, et al: Influence of metabolic osteodystrophy: analysis of the cause of failure. World J urg. acidosis on serum D3 levels in chronic renal failure. Miner 9:500-506, 1985. Electrolyte Metab. 2L21: 398-402, 1995. 17. Klempa 1, Frei U, Rottger P, et al: Parathyroid autografts morphology and function: 6 years' experience with

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Saafan, HA et al - parathyroid autotransplantation in uremic patients- World] 21. O'Leary DP, White HJ: Parathyroidectomy for Swg. World J Surg. 8:540-546, 1984. hyperparathyroidism associated with renal disease. Ann R CoQ Coll Surg Engt. 77:97-101, 1995. 18. Takagi H;Tominaga Y, Tanaka.Y, et al: Total Parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for secondary 22. Koonsman M, Hughes K, Dickennan R, et al: hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. Ann Surg. Parathyroidectomy in chronic renal failure. Am J Swrg Surg. 208:639-644.19, 1988. 168:631-634, 1994. 19. Skinner KA, Zuckerbraun L: Recurrent secondary 23. Kim HC, Cheigh ) S, David DS, et al: Long-term results hyperparathyroidism- An argument for total of subtotal Parathyroidectomy in patients with end-stage Parathyroidectomy. Arch Surg. 13: L724-727, 1996. renal disease. Am Surg. 60:641-649, 1994. 20. Punch JD, Thompson NW, Merion RM: Subtotal Parathyroidectomy in dialysis-dependent and post-renal transplant patients. Arch Surg. 130:538-542, 1995.

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