Parathyroid transplantation

Abstract

Abstract This is a review of our current experience with the technique of parathyroid transplantation in man. We have performed 68 autografts and 2 allografts. The indications for parathyroid autotransplantation include primary and secondary parathyroid hyperplasia, repeat neck exploration for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism, and total thyroidectomy for carcinoma. Indications for allotransplantation include the unsuccessful medical management of hypoparathyroidism and complete DiGeorge's syndrome. Graft function was successful in a high percentage of cases as documented by a normal serum calcium concentration with the grafted parathyroid tissue as the only source of parathyroid hormone, by detecting high concentrations of PTH in the antecubital vein draining the grafted arm and, histologically, by light and electron microscopy of the grafts .