Objective:

There are few studies evaluating the effect of high body mass index (BMI) on parathyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the BMI and post-operative outcome of the patients who were operated for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).

Material and Methods:

Hospital files of patients who were operated for PHP between January 2013 and January 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients operated by surgeons experienced in endocrine surgery (more than 25 cases/year) were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to BMI (Group 1 < and Group 2 ≥ 25). Data were analyzed.

Results:

Groups were similar in terms of age (p = 0.715) and sex (p = 0.253). There was no significant difference between groups regarding postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.561), rate of transient hypocalcemia (p = 0.748), or permanent hypocalcemia (p = 0.530). The mean operative time was shorter in Group 1 (84 min in Group 1 and 70 min in Group 2, p = 0.045).

Conclusion:

Parathyroid surgery can safely be performed in patients with high BMI by surgeons experienced in endocrine surgery.