Parathyroid extirpation in the cat.

Abstract

A survey of the literature dealing with experimental parathyroidectomy in the cat shows amazing discrepancies. Some results are so clear cut that there can be no question as to the conclusions drawn from them while other experiments give quite conflicting data. In certain forms, viz., the dog, there are uniform results after extirpation of these glands and these have led to the conclusion that in this form a complete parathyroid extirpation is fatal.

In order to clear up some of these discrepancies before proceeding with physiological studies which are now under way upon the cat it was deemed advisable to complete a large number of parathyroid extirpations in order that a consistent resurvey of the problem could be obtained. More than fifty parathyroidectomies have been performed at the Osborn Laboratory. These cases have been carefully studied and supplemented with anatomical observations.

A microscopic examination of the glands was made at the time of operation. The glands were placed in Ringer's solution and the parathyroids dissected away from the thyroid under the high power of a binocular microscope. A small vascular rete is associated with the parathyroids and assists in their rapid identification.