Hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy: Analysis on 804 treated patients.

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Mario Sianesi
Paolo Del Rio
Maria Francesca Arcuri
Simona Cataldo
Giuseppe Robuschi

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcemia is a possible sequela of thyroidectomy; the causes are not fully understood.


METHODS: We analyzed 804 patients (594 total thyroidectomy, 209 emithyroidectomy) treated in our Institute from January 1995 to December 2000. Serum calcium, ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), fosforemia were screened pre- and postoperatively.


RESULTS: Hypocalcemia, defined by a serum calcium less than 7,5 mg/dL, occurred in 126 patients (21,2%). In 90,6% of these patients the serum calcium was normal at seven days after thyroidectomy. In two patients we have registered at 180 days after thyroidectomy a permanent hypoparathyroidism.


CONCLUSIONS: Several factors are important in the incidence of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia but the inadvertent excision of parathyroid gland, ischemia and injury are the major causes of lowering of serum calcium concentration.

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How to Cite
Sianesi, Mario, et al. “Hypocalcemia After Thyroidectomy: Analysis on 804 Treated Patients”. Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia, vol. 77, no. 4, July 2006, pp. 295-8, https://annaliitalianidichirurgia.it/index.php/aic/article/view/2747.
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