The objective of this study is to determine whether preoperative serum
calcium,
parathyroid hormone, or
adenoma weight is predictive of postoperative
hypocalcemia after removal of a
parathyroid adenoma. A retrospective chart review was performed for consecutive
parathyroidectomy patients over a 6-year period at a community-based teaching institution. Patients with
renal failure (serum
creatinine >1.7), hyperplastic disease, and
parathyroid carcinoma were excluded. The outcome measures were postoperative serum
calcium and the presence of signs or symptoms such as
paresthesias, anxiety, or Chvostek's sign. One hundred forty-one patients underwent
parathyroidectomy during the study period. Fifty-four patients were excluded as a result of hyperplastic disease,
renal failure,
carcinoma, or unavailable records. Of the remaining 87 patients 25 (28.7%) developed
hypocalcemia (serum
calcium < 8.0), and ten patients (11.5%), developed symptoms. The mean preoperative
calcium levels for the normocalcemic and hypocalcemic groups were 10.9 and 10.6, respectively (P < 0.217). The mean preoperative
parathyroid hormone levels (normal 10-54) were 214 and 139, respectively (P < 0.305), and the mean
adenoma weights were 1.059 and 1.337 g respectively (P < 0.343). This study demonstrates no statistically significant difference in the mean preoperative serum
calcium levels,
parathyroid hormone levels, or
adenoma weight between normocalcemic and hypocalcemic patients postoperatively.