Subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) and total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (PTX and AT) are now equivalent and challenging surgical procedures, that now involve very low morbidity even in patients with serious secondary illness. In most cases, either brings about a significant amelioration of quality of life. It is rare for the illness to persist after such an operation. In most cases, this is the case only after an inadequate primary operation. An actual recurrence of the illness after at least 6 months is a much more serious problem and cannot usually be attributed to an inadequate operation. Our experience is based on operations performed in 143 patients and a follow-up of up to 8 years. In 68.7% of cases there was a noticeable improvement of bone pain immediately after the operation. This rate fell to 61.5% during subsequent years. Comparable results could not be achieved with any drug therapy. After SPTX the recurrence rate was 4.5%, and after PTX and AT, 5.5%. This is comparable to the results cited in the literature.