Measurement of Early Serum Calcium Levels in Predicting Hypocalcemia after Total/Near-Total Thyroidectomy.
- Author:
Yong Ho PARK
1
;
Tae Hoon KIM
;
Byung Kook KIM
;
Chan Il PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Otolayngololgy-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Taejeon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Thyroidectomy;
Hypocalcemia
- MeSH:
Calcium*;
Humans;
Hypocalcemia*;
Retrospective Studies;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyroidectomy*
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2001;44(11):1183-1186
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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
