Comparison of pre- and postoperative parathyroid hormone levels with frozen section during parathyroidectomy

Abstract

Background: Due to the short half-life of parathyroid hormone (PTH), intra-operative quick PTH measurement (immediately after removal of adenoma) is beneficial to identify and evaluate the adequacy of tissue removal and to reduce reoperation and more extensive surgery. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare pre-and postoperative parathyroid hormone levels with frozen section during parathyroidectomy . Methods: This analytical study was conducted on 25 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism referred to Velayat Hospital in Qazvin for parathyroidectomy during 2013 . Serum PTH levels were measured before surgery and 10 minutes after surgical removal of adenomas and the results were compared with the results of frozen section during surgery . Data were analyzed using paired T-test. Findings: Mean PTH level was 222±68.5 before surgery and was 56±57.7 after removal of the adenomas. The difference was statistically significant. These results were consistent with the results of frozen section. Conclusion: With regards to the results, it seems that frozen section technique is an appropriate method to assess the surgery and to reduce the extent of surgery.