Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy
Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy (or "MIRP") is a newer surgical procedure designed to remove parathyroid tumors. The first step of a MIRP procedure involves injecting the four parathyroid glands with a small dose of a radioactive drug. A small probe is then used to detect the hyperactive parathyroid gland or glands (which absorb radioactivity). The surgeon can utilize a small incision on a limited area of the neck to quickly locate and remove the affected gland rather than using an long incision that involves the entire neck and examining all 4 glands. The MIRP technique saves time (an average surgery lasts about 20 minutes), results in less pain, shorter recovery time, and a higher cure rate than a traditional parathyroidectomy surgery.