INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcaemia, although usually transitory, is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with a higher risk of hypoparathyroidism and related to aetiology and surgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 254 total thyroidectomies were analysed for the incidence of transitory or permanent hypocalcaemia based on the relationship with etiological and surgical factors. RESULTS: Transient hypocalcaemia was present in 29.1% of the cases and permanent hypocalcemia was present in 4.7%. Postoperative hypocalcaemia was lower in patients with completion thyroidectomy than in patients that underwent total thyroidectomy in a single operation, 12% vs. 31%. Patients with Graves-Basedow disease developed postoperative hypocalcaemia in 50% of the cases. Mean recovery time of parathyroid function was 5.2 months, with 72.2% of the patients recovering before 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative hypocalcaemia is a frequent complication of total thyroidectomy, but it is seldom permanent. Patients with Graves-Basedow disease have a higher incidence of postoperative hypocalcaemia and need closer follow-up. Postoperative calcium level analysis at 24 and 48 h after surgery is not useful for rapid identification of patients at high risk of hypocalcaemia.
INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcaemia, although usually transitory, is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with a higher risk of hypoparathyroidism and related to aetiology and surgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 254 total thyroidectomies were analysed for the incidence of transitory or permanent hypocalcaemia based on the relationship with etiological and surgical factors. RESULTS: Transient hypocalcaemia was present in 29.1% of the cases and permanent hypocalcemia was present in 4.7%. Postoperative hypocalcaemia was lower in patients with completion thyroidectomy than in patients that underwent total thyroidectomy in a single operation, 12% vs. 31%. Patients with Graves-Basedow disease developed postoperative hypocalcaemia in 50% of the cases. Mean recovery time of parathyroid function was 5.2 months, with 72.2% of the patients recovering before 6 months. CONCLUSIONS:Postoperative hypocalcaemia is a frequent complication of total thyroidectomy, but it is seldom permanent. Patients with Graves-Basedow disease have a higher incidence of postoperative hypocalcaemia and need closer follow-up. Postoperative calcium level analysis at 24 and 48 h after surgery is not useful for rapid identification of patients at high risk of hypocalcaemia.
Authors: A Houette; J Massoubre; B Pereira; M Puechmaille; A Dissard; L Gilain; N Saroul; T Mom Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2018-07-19 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Michael G White; Benjamin C James; Cheryl Nocon; Sapna Nagar; Edwin L Kaplan; Peter Angelos; Raymon H Grogan Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2015-11-24 Impact factor: 2.192
Authors: C Bellotti; M Giulii Capponi; M Cinquepalmi; G Castagnola; S Marchetta; F Mallozzi; M Pezzatini; A Brescia Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2017-11-03 Impact factor: 4.584