Parathyroidectomy in chronic kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) associates with disturbed modulation of hormones involved in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, with development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). SHPT includes not only divalent ions derangements, but also renal bone disease (high turnover, low turnover and/or osteomalacia) and accelerated vascular and ectopic calcifications. In this way, SHPT resembles a true clinical syndrome named CKD-MBD, which is a recognized risk factor of all-causeand cardiovascular death. Long lasting stimulation of parathyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, as observed in CKD, causes specific and progressive histological changes responsible for the development of nodular hyperplastic glands unresponsive to physiologic inhibitors and thus characterized by hypercalcemia, elevated PTH levels and resistance to the available medical therapies. In these cases, surgicalparathyroidectomy (PTX) becomes the only therapeutic option. In this chapter we review current evidence on indications, types and clinical outcomes of PTX from a practical and clinical point of view.