Subtotal parathyroidectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation for secondary hyperparathyroidism: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose The optimal surgical approach of parathyroidectomy for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) has been controversial. The updated meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (TPTX + AT). Methods A thorough systematic search was performed on the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library to identify eligible studies. Data were extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis. The primary outcomes were the symptomatic improvement, radiological changes, hypocalcemia rate, the requirement for vitamin D analogues, time to recurrence, recurrence, persistence, and reoperation rates of SPTX versus TPTX + AT. Results Atotal of 18 studies with 3656 patients (1864 patients in SPTX and 1792 patients in TPTX + AT group) were included, and 15 studies were included in quantitative synthesis. No significant difference was observed in symptomatic improvement (93.3%, 89.0%; P = 0.99), radiological changes (85.4%, 85.3%; P = 0.91), hypocalcemia rate (16.6%, 18.1%; P = 0.29), persistence rate (6.1%, 2.0%; P = 0.16), time to recurrence (mean difference 1.46; P = 0.87), recurrence rate (9.2%, 7.1%; P = 0.76), and reoperation rate (5.3%, 5.8%; P = 0.66) between SPTX and TPTX + AT groups. Longer operative time (150 vs. 120 min), prolonged in-hospital stay (5.0 vs. 4.1 days), lower 1-month serum calcium level, and higher requirement for vitamin D analogues at 12 months were significantly observed in patients who underwent TPTX + AT compared to SPTX. Conclusions The two surgical approaches were both effective at controlling SHPT in clinical and laboratory terms. However, most of the data shown were not statistically significant. It was acceptable that surgeons chose either SPTX or TPTX + AT for SHPT.