P14 Postoperative calcium monitoring is not necessary in hemi-thyroidectomy patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction There is no standardised practice for the management of calcium post-operatively. Hemithyroidectomies pose a smaller risk for PH, compared to total thyroidectomies. The aim of the study was to establish if routine testing of serum calcium was needed in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy operations. Methods We have included patients that had hemithyroidectomy between 2017 -2021. Patients operated on between 04/2017-03/2019 had post-operative blood test for serum calcium (Group A) while patients operated on between 04/2019-10/2021 did not have any testing (Group B). Results 178 patients were included in the analysis (70 In group A and 108 in group B). Baseline chrematistics (age p= 0.815, sex p=0.0324, indication of surgery, ASA grade p=0.086) were not statistically different between groups. The percentage of malignancy on histology did not statistically differ (23% for group 1 and 36% for group 2, p=0.069). Group A patients were found to have borderline low adjusted calcium level (<2.2 mmol/l) in 6% of the cases (lowest level of recorded calcium was 2.13 mmol/l). The mean adj. calcium for Group A pts was 2.34 (SD:0.1). There were no patients in Group A or group B who developed clinical symptoms of hypocalcemia. The length of stay (LOS) did not statistically differ (mean LOS:1.3 days for group 1 (SD:1.4) and 1.3 days (SD:1.6) for group 2, p=0.981). Conclusion Hemithyroidectomy patients do not develop clinically relevant hypocalcaemia, hence do not require routine post-operative serum calcium measurement. This could be a cost-saving and quality-improvement initiative for Units performing thyroid surgery.