Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Parathyroidectomy; A Detailed Illustration and Highlighting an Additional Potential Advantage Over Other Targeted Parathyroid Surgeries

Abstract

Targeted parathyroid surgery also referred to as minimally invasive parathyroidectomy has replaced full neck exploration as the preferred surgical approach to primary hyperparathyroidism. This is attributed to the ability to accurately localize enlarged parathyroid glands preoperatively and obtain objective evidence of adequate resection intraoperatively. The two most widely used minimally invasive parathyroid surgeries are the non-endoscopic miniincision parathyroidectomy and the minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy. The aim of this article is to provide a detailed illustration of the latter supplemented with an animated video of the procedure, and to highlight a potential advantage it offers over other targeted parathyroid procedures; the ability to perform a full neck exploration and/or a concomitant thyroid surgery without the need to convert to a standard cervicotomy.