Controversy exists regarding the relative merits of subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Fourteen patients who underwent SPTX for secondary HPT were evaluated to determine the efficacy of this treatment in view of modern dialysis, diet, and drug treatment. Indications for operation included intractable symptoms (two patients), progressive renal osteodystrophy (eight patients), or both (four patients). Duration of renal failure ranged from 3 to 15 years (mean 7.8 years) before SPTX. The operative serum calcium level was normal in 10 patients, elevated in three patients, and low in one patient. Preoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels ranged from 3.9 to 144 ng/ml (average 41 ng/ml) and decreased after operation to an average of 3.6 ng/ml (normal PTH less than 1 ng/ml). There were no deaths or major postoperative complications. Clinical or radiographic improvement occurred in 80% of patients but did not correlate with absolute reductions in PTH levels. Our results reveal that SPTX is a simple and effective treatment in the initial surgical management of uremic, secondary HPT and appears to be comparable to those obtained with more complicated surgical approaches such as total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation.