Reliable Early Prediction for Different Types of Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia.
- Author:
Joon Ho KIM
1
;
Man Ki CHUNG
;
Young Ik SON
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. yison@skku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hypocalcemia;
Parathyroid hormone;
Thyroidectomy;
Early diagnosis;
Postoperative complicationns
- MeSH:
Calcium;
Early Diagnosis;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Hypocalcemia;
Incidence;
Parathyroid Hormone;
Retrospective Studies;
Thyroidectomy;
Biomarkers
- From:Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
2011;4(2):95-100
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: High incidence of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy is a major determinant in delay of discharge. Even though many studies have focused on the search for reliable early predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia, definitions of hypocalcemia are diverse; therefore, interpretation and application of previously reported findings may not be easy. We aimed to elucidate diverse patterns of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia and to provide reliable early predictors for these different types of hypocalcemia. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed and eligible 112 patients of thyroidectomy were categorized into four groups according to symptomatic and/or biochemical hypocalcemic criteria. A mismatch of occurrence and the timing of symptomatic or biochemical abnormalities were evaluated. Predictive values of commonly used biomarkers were compared in each group; levels of serum total calcium and ionized calcium, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH). RESULTS: Among 62 hypocalcemic patients, 45 patients (72.5%) experienced both symptomatic and biochemical abnormalities during hospitalization. A mismatch on the timing of initial detection of symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia was observed in 21 patients (46.6%). Intact PTH level measured at 1 hour was a useful indicator in prediction of symptomatic hypocalcemia with 79.7-87.4% of diagnostic accuracy. Serum ionized calcium measured next morning after surgery was a reliable predictor of biochemical hypocalcemia with 77.9-94.8% of diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: For the safety of patients, the possibility of both symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia should be considered together before deciding early discharge. Using intact PTH for symptomatic hypocalcemia and day-1 ionized serum calcium level for biochemical hypocalcemia will be helpful for the reliable prediction of heterogeneous nature of postoperative hypocalcemia.
