Minimally invasive non-endoscopic parathyroidectomy

The surgical management of parathyroid disorders has been changing rapidly over the last two decades. Though there are still occasions to utilize the traditional bilateral four-gland exploration, this approach has largely given way to more focused, minimally invasive procedures. This shift has been driven by advancements in medical technology and the surgeon’s ability to use these new tools to more accurately diagnose the extent of the disease, the location of the offending parathyroid glands, and the biochemical completeness of the resection. This chapter reviews the evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism and details the minimally invasive, non-endoscopic approach to the operative management of this disease.