Factors Affecting Incidence of Hypocalcemia Post Thyroid Surgery

ABSTRACT

Objective: Thyroid surgery is a common surgical procedure. Hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery continues to be a significant medical complication. The present study evaluates the rate of transient hypocalcemia (TH) and permanent hypocalcemia (PH) post thyroid surgery and investigates the predictive factors behind its development. Material and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 2,381 cases who underwent thyroidectomy between the years 2009 and 2019. TH and PH were assessed based on clinicopathological features. Results: The mean age of patients included in this study was 45 (14-87) years; 35.8% were under the age of 40 83.6% were females. The rate of incidental parathyroidectomy (confirmed by pathology reports) was 9.7% (n=199). TH and PH developed in 16.1% (n=316) and 5.1% (n=105) of the cases, respectively. Incidental parathyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy [odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.767, 3.017] can be considered independent risk factors for the development of TH. Age, gender, absence of preoperative hyperthyroidism, total thyroidectomy, Hashimoto thyroiditis, thyroid gland volume, and incidental parathyroidectomy are the risk factors for the development of PH [OR (95% CI); 0.981, 3.695, 2.65, 4.270, 1.741 1.002, 2.235]. Conclusion: The incidence of permanent hypocalcemia development in patients with preoperative hyperthyroidism is low.