Tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT) usually regresses after renal transplantation. Persistent tHPT after successful renal transplantation may require parathyroidectomy (PTX). PTX has been reported to be associated with deterioration of renal function and graft survival. We retrospectively analyzed 794 kidney transplants performed at our center with at least 3 years of follow-up to examine the effect of PTX on the renal function and graft survival. Forty-nine of the 794 renal transplant recipients were diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism (HPT) before transplant. Nineteen of 49 patients had persistent tHPT and underwent PTX after kidney transplants. Patients with HPT and non-HPT had similar 3-year graft survival (88% versus 84%, P = 0.51). PTX was associated with a decreased glomerular filtration rate at 3 years (44.7 ± 20.0 versus 57.7 ± 23.7 mL/min, P = 0.04); however, there was no statistical difference in the 3-year graft survival (71% versus 88%, P = 0.06). PTX in renal transplant recipients seems to be a safe and effective therapy for persistent tHPT. PTX may be associated with worsening glomerular filtration rate, but it may not be associated with significantly decreased longterm graft survival.
Key Indexing TermsHyperparathyroidism; Parathyroidectomy; Kidney transplant; Graft function; Graft survival Nowadays, the term tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT) is used almost exclusively in the context of persistent hyperparathyroidism (HPT) after successful renal transplantation. Development of tHPT is multifactorial, although phosphate retention and loss of renal 1-hydroxylase activity with low 1,25-(OH) 2 vitamin D 3 level are the principal factors. 1 For hyperparathyroidism in patients with end-stage renal disease, the currently accepted practice for management is initially medical therapy with parathyroidectomy (PTX) reserved for refractory disease. 2 The incidence of tHPT is reported in up to 50% of patients who undergo kidney transplantation,3 and its occurrence is thought to be related to the duration of dialysis before transplantation.3 , 4 Although tHPT has been recognized for a long time, the management of the disease is still controversial. Currently, guidelines for referral of these patients for surgery do not exist. Hypercalcemia usually gradually resolves within the first year after successful kidney transplantation. 4 Therefore, patients with persistent hypercalcemia should be considered for PTX, which includes subtotal or total PTX with auto-transplantation. Indications
NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript for surgical intervention include persistent hypercalcemia, symptomatic tHPT, or deterioration of kidney function associated with tHPT. 4 Although it was previously reported that patients with functioning kidney grafts had unaffected renal function after PTX, there are recent reports that PTX might seriously endanger the long-term graft survival. [5][6][7] The purpose of this study was to examine our 10-year experience with patients with end-stage re...