Case series on the on the onset of transient hypo-parathyroidism after thyroidectomy

Abstract

Background: Surgery for thyroid disorders is the common operation in general surgery and total thyroidectomy is widely performed both for carcinoma as well as benign bilateral diseases of the thyroid and the most common complication is transient hypocalcaemia. A preliminary study was conducted to assess the risk factors for transient hypocalcaemia in our hospital.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from February 2013 to April 2014 at the Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry and have included all patients undergone any type of thyroid surgery with a normal pre-operative serum calcium level. After initial clinical assessment, blood samples were drawn for estimation of thyroid function and serum calcium and albumin. Postoperative hypocalcemia was assessed by eliciting Chovstek’s and Troussea’s sign and biochemically estimating serum calcium and albumin at 6,24, and 24 hours intervals and 1st and 3rd months during follow-up. The risk factors involved are also studied like sex, age, type of thyroidectomy, identification of parathyroid, Identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve and their histology.Results: A total of 50 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were included in the study. The hypocalcemia occurred in 28% of patients studied showed that 66.7% of patients developed hypocalcemia at 48-72 hours. There was no statistical significance for the parameters of age or gender, benign and malignant conditions of thyroid. The analysis of type surgery performed showed a significant number of patients developing transient hypocalcaemia after near or total thyroidectomy (p-0.002).Conclusions: The present study, though consisted of a small group of patients has shown that transient hypocalcaemia after near or total thyroidectomy occurs in early post-operative days. Hence, on an average 2-5 days of hospital stay is mandatory. Near total or total thyroidectomy is a risk factor. Early diagnosis and replacement with calcium intra-venous reduce the morbidity and mortality of hypocalcaemia.