[Surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients over 70 years of age]

Abstract

Hyperparathyroidism is a frequent, often fortuitous finding in elderly people. Our series includes 103 patients over 70 years of age, 90 of whom were operated upon. Elderly patients rarely are without any symptom, but it is difficult, prior to surgery, to associate their clinical disorders with hyperparathyroidism. Our results show that surgical treatment is virtually without danger and that most patients were distinctly improved. The innocuousness and effectiveness of surgery in these patients, as well as the absence of medical treatment are as many reasons to widen the indications of the surgical approach.