Parathyroid Surgery in India: Restoring Health with Expert Hands

Parathyroid surgery in India

Parathyroid surgery (also known as parathyroidectomy) refers to surgery performed on one or more of the parathyroid glands to remove them; they have become overactive (typically the cause of primary hyperparathyroidism).

What are the parathyroid glands?

• Four little glands behind the neck behind the thyroid.
• They control the calcium amounts in the blood and bones by parathyroid hormone (PTH).

What is the reason to have parathyroid surgery?

The primary cure of:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism (excessive PTH secretion, which may be due to a benign tumor/adenoma).
• Secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism (or commonly in kidney disease).
• Parathyroid cancer (rare).

Symptoms which could be subject to surgery are:

• High blood calcium
• Kidney stones
• Osteoporosis or fractures
• Weakness or tiredness or depression of the muscles.

Types of Parathyroid surgery

Minimal Invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP)

• Small cut, which is done under the guidance of imaging (sestamibi scan, ultrasound) and intraoperative PTH test.
• Less pain, quicker recovery.

Bilateral Neck Exploration

• Conventional technique, all the four glands tested.
• Applied in cases where imaging is not clear or in case of abnormal glands in more than one gland.

How is it performed?

• Typically under general anaesthesia.
• Small incision in the neck.
• Abnormal gland(s) that are found and excised.
• Successful removal may be established by intra-operative PTH test.
• Time: 13 hours (depending on the complexity).

Best parathyroid surgeons in India

Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor

Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor has more than 30 + years of experience, and is the best endocrinologist in Gurgaon. He has expertise in Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, Thyroid disorders, Adiposity, Hormonal imbalance, Endocrine oncology, Paediatric endocrinology, Gestational diabetes, and Endocrine cancers and tumours.

Dr. Deepak Sarin

Dr. Deepak Sarin is a distinguished Head and Neck Oncologist in India with over 20 years of expertise in treating oral and throat cancers. Specializing in Head & Neck Oncology in Gurgaon, Reconstructive Surgery, and Skull Base Surgery, he has made significant contributions to the field. His areas of expertise include minimally invasive surgeries, robotic and laser surgery for head and neck cancers, thyroid and parathyroid surgeries, parotid surgery, and tracheal reconstruction.

Dr. Atul Luthra

Dr. Luthra is an excellent teacher, a dedicated researcher, a gifted orator, a prolific writer, and best diabetologist in Gurgaon. He has a keen interest in the management of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, thyroid and lipid disorders. Main Specialities are Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolic Disorders. 

Dr. Ambrish Mittal

Dr. Ambrish Mithal is an endocrinologist and the Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max Healthcare, Saket, New Delhi; he started working in December 2019. One of the most renowned names in the field of Endocrinology. 

Factors Affecting Parathyroidectomy cost in India

The key factors influencing the price of parathyroidectomy in India are as follows:

Type of hospital / Facility

• Multispecialty or private hospitals are the most expensive, assuming they are of state-of-the-art facilities. 

City / Location

• Big metros (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad) are more expensive - more expensive cost of living, more overheads.
• The smaller cities of tier-2 or below will also tend to have lower rates. 

Procedure type / surgical method

• As to whether the surgery is standard, minimally invasive, focused or needs special imaging or complements.
• The monitoring of intraoperative PTH, special tools or technology are additional cost. 

Anaesthesia type

• General anaesthesia (GA) is expensive compared to locally/regional anaesthesia.
• Length of stay in anaesthetic is important. 

Premedical examination / Diagnostics

• The imaging (ultrasound, sestamibi scan, CT/MRI, etc.), blood tests, etc.
• Further workup / uncertain localization imply additional imaging and expense.

Surgeon’s experience / Skills

• A more specialized endocrine surgeon of high volume, reputation will be more expensive.
• Also in case of a complex surgery (e.g. re-operation, multiple glands, concurrent thyroid surgery).

Room type / hospital length of stay

• Private room or shared ward or ICU.
• Length of stay (in case stable vs complications).

Postoperative care

• Follow-up (calcium, PTH levels), medications, any complications, physiotherapy (where it is necessary), etc.
• In case permanent hypocalcemia sets in, perhaps long-term supplementation, follow-ups.

Complications or comorbidities

• Risk is heightened by presence of other health issues (e.g. kidney disease, heart disease) more overseeing, more medications.
• Re-operation or redo surgery is costly.

Hospital overhead and consumables

• Sutures, surgical disposables, drain etc., time spent in the operation theatre, support staff.
• In the event, a complicated surgical equipment or technology is applied, expenses of the same accumulate.

Pricing policy / room to vary

• There is a different way in which hospitals package or itemize.
• Even when surgery is essentially the same, then luxury services (private ward, fancy amenities) are more expensive.

Top hospitals for parathyroid surgery in India

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket

Factors Affecting Affordable parathyroid surgery in India

The following are some of the key factors influencing the affordability of parathyroid surgery in India - i.e. what makes surgery less expensive:

• Government / public hospitals
• Charity trusts / non-profit hospitals
• Simpler surgical technique
• Shorter hospital stay
• Lower diagnostic costs
• Negotiated “packages”
• Local / smaller city hospitals

Parathyroid surgery in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Parathyroid surgery.
• Expert endocrinologists with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food