The parathyroid glands are usually 4 in number and are located in the neck right behind your thyroid gland in your neck. These glands help your body control the calcium level in the blood.  Parathyroidectomy is the removal of one or more of the four parathyroid glands in the neck, and is usually performed for a condition called hyperparathyroidism.  The surgery may be done as an outpatient, if one of the glands is removed, or requires overnight stay, if all 4 glands are removed.  If one gland is removed, the surgery is performed through a small incision on one side of the neck, directly over where the gland is located.