Parathyroid Gland SurgeryParathyroid glands are tiny pea-sized glands located near each corner of the thyroid gland in the neck. There are normally four parathyroid glands but some people have three and others have five with no apparent ill effect. The location of the parathyroid gland can also change from person to person. They may be inside the thyroid gland, thymus gland or very rarely in the chest. Parathyroid glands can still function normally even though they are in an unusual location. Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) which controls the amount of Calcium and phosphorous we have in our blood. PTH also helps make vitamin D. A non cancerous (benign) tumor in one of the parathyroid glands will cause it to produce too much PTH. The result is an increased amount of calcium in the blood which is called hypercalcemia. This has the effect of removing calcium from the bones causing thinning and weakness as well as forming calcium stones in the kidneys. ParathyroidectomySurgical removal of the parathyroid gland is called a parathyroidectomy. It is the only way to cure a parathyroid gland producing to much PTH. Where possible the surgeons from Bradenton Surgical Group use a Minimally Invasive parathyroidectomy so that our patients experience less discomfort from the procedure and a faster recovery than they would from a conventional parathyroidectomy. This is possible if the abnormal gland can first be identified using a radioactive marker dye. Otherwise, all of the glands must be inspected in the traditional procedure. What to expect from your parathyroid gland surgery
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