The parathyroid glands and anaesthesia

Abstract

A parathyroid adenoma causing primary hyperparathyroidism was successfully resected for the first time in Vienna in 1925.1 Primary hyperparathyroidism is now considered the third most common endocrine disorder2 and many patients will present for surgical removal of one or more of their parathyroid glands. This article presents a review of parathyroid gland anatomy, physiology and dysfunction, as well as the anaesthetic management of patients presenting for parathyroidectomy.