Abstract: Introduction: Hypocalcemia is the mostfrequent complication after thyroidectomy. The aim of
this work is to identify biochemical risk factors of hypocalcemia using quick perioperative (pre
and post-thyroidectomy) intact parathyroid hormone (PTHi) and postoperative calcemias.
Methods: In a consecutive series of 310 total thyroidectomies, samples of quick PTHi at the
anaesthetic induction and 10 min after surgery, together with serum calcemias every 12 h
were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value are analyzed and related to hypocalcemia. A control group of hemithyroidectomies is also analyzed
to compare the effects of surgery on PTH secretion.
Results: Of the 310 patients, 202 (65.1%) remained normocalcemic and asymptomatic (group
A), 108 (34.9%) presented hypocalcemia (Group B), requiring oral calcium (79 symptomatic).
After analysis of several cut-off points, combining a PTHr drop gradient of 60% or calcemia
inferior to 7.4 mg/dl at 24 h, a sensitivity of 100% is achieved without leaving false negatives.
Compared to the control group, there is a significant difference with respect to the postoperative calcemias and PTHr, p < 0.001.
Conclusions: Totalthyroidectomy affects parathyroid function with evident decrease in rPTH
and risk of hypocalcemia. The combination of PTHr decrease of 60% or less than 7.4 mg/dl
calcemia at 24 h gives a 100% sensitivity for predicting patients at risk of hypocalcemia.
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