Abstract
In order to evaluate the preventive effects of bisphosphonate (alendronate) for postoperative tetany and hypocalcemia, 12 cases of primary, and secondary hyperparathyroidism were divided into two groups; alendronate group in which alendronate was administrated and control group in which alen-dronate was not administrated before parathyroidectomy. These two groups were compared for fre-quencies of hypotcalcemia, tetany, and subjective complains such as joint pain and itching of skin.
In the alendronate group, descent rates of serum calcium from 0 to 48 hours after the operation were low, compared with the control group. Alendronate group also had no tetany attack. The several symptoms, such as joint pain and itching of skin raised by hyperparathyroidism disappeared in an early stage in both groups.
We conclude that administration of alendronate for patients with hyperparathyroidism is effective to prevent postoperative hypocalcemia and tetany, especially for patients with serious bone disease in whom hypercalcemia has persisted for more than one year, or quantify of more than 12mg/ml at a serum calcium level.
