Abstract | BACKGROUND: Several risk factors have been associated with post-operative transient hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery. However, there are no studies evaluating preventive measures to avoid symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia. Although intravenous infusion of calcium improves hypocalcemic symptoms, it is unknown whether prophylactic infusion prevents symptoms of postoperative hypocalcemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred and forty-seven patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Two groups were identified: group A (n = 243) received prophylactic intravenous drip infusion of 78-156 mg of calcium solution at 3-8 hours after operation, and group B (n = 304) received no prophylactic treatment. Prophylactic infusion was used only once if the patients did not have symptoms of hypocalcemia. Serum calcium (Ca) levels, intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) levels on the first postoperative day (1st POD), and the prevalence of symptoms of hypocalcemia were prospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The serum Ca levels at the 1st POD in group A patients (7.91 +/- 0.49 mg/dl, mean +/- SD) was significantly higher than group B patients (7.65 +/- 0.54, P < 0.0001), while the serum i-PTH levels were not significantly different between the two groups. The prevalence of numbness and/or tetany before noon on the 1st POD was significantly lower in group A patients. Prophylactic infusion of calcium solution reduced the prevalence of tetany from 8.6% to 2.1%. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Takashi Uruno, Akira Miyauchi, Kazuo Shimizu, Chisato Tomoda, Yuuki Takamura, Yasuhiro Ito, Akihiro Miya, Kaoru Kobayashi, Fumio Matsuzuka, Nobuyuki Amino, Kanji Kuma |
Journal | World journal of surgery
(World J Surg)
Vol. 30
Issue 3
Pg. 304-8
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 0364-2313 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16479342
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Calcium
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Humans
- Hypocalcemia
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Risk Factors
- Solutions
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Thyroidectomy
- Treatment Outcome
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