Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Nov;44(11):1183-1186.

Measurement of Early Serum Calcium Levels in Predicting Hypocalcemia after Total/Near-Total Thyroidectomy

• Park YH
• Kim TH
• Kim BK
• Park CI

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a routine concern following most total or near-total thyroidectomies. This study sought to determine whether early postoperative calcium levels could safely predict hypocalcemia following operations of the thyroid gland.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 43 total or near-total thyroidec-tomy patients were undertaken. Serum ionized calcium concentrations were examined twice within 24 hours after operation and the slope was calculated.
RESULTS
A positive slope group consisted of 14 patients, of whom three had a transient hypocalcemia and supplied calcium. A negative slope group consisted of 29 patients, of whom 22 had a transient hypocalcemia and 14 supplied calcium, and the last 7 patients developed permanent hypocalcemia. Within the negative slope group, the patients who developed transient hypocalcemia had an average slope which was significantly more negative (-0.80% change/ hr) than patients who had not developed transient hypocalcemia (-0.37% change/hr) (p=0.05). Patients who developed permanent hypocalcemia had an average slope that was stiffer (-1.98% change/hr) than those who had not developed permanent hypocalcemia.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that early postoperative serum calcium measurements are strongly predictive of postoperative hypocalcemia

Keyword

Thyroidectomy; Hypocalcemia

MeSH Terms

Calcium*
Humans
Hypocalcemia*
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Gland
Thyroidectomy*
Calcium