Serial Estimation of Serum Calcium and Ionic Calcium Level for Early Detection of Hypocalcemia After Total/Completion Thyroidectomy

Hypocalcemia is an important and common complication following thyroid surgery. The development of postoperative hypocalcemia is likely to be multifactorial in nature. Patients with acute hypocalcemia may present with numbness of the distal extremities, circumoral paresthesia, and/or carpopedal spasm, laryngospasm, seizure and arrhythmias. In most cases, post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is temporary, but small percentage (0–12%) are permanent. The present study was a 1-year prospective interventional study conducted at tertiary care center, Jaipur, India. Total 42 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were included in study. Evaluation of Serum and Ionic Calcium Level done Preoperatively and Postoperative at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and patients who develops hypocalcemia symptoms were recorded and data were analyzed. In our study hypocalcemia was seen in 13 (31%) out of 42 subjects. Ionic calcium in ‘All patients’ gradually decreased from pre operative 1.28 ± 0.04 mmol/l to 1.14 ± 0.08 mmol/l by 24 h. Highest incidence of hypocalcemia was seen in patients who had Total thyroidectomy + neck dissection (83.3%) compared to other type of thyroid surgery. we concluded that post thyroidectomy transient hypocalcemia is a frequent complication. Serial monitoring of calcium levels preoperatively and postoperatively combined with careful monitoring of signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia is an efficient and cost-effective tool to detect early post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.