Risk factors, predictors and treatment of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

Abstract

Total thyroidectomy is the most frequently performed intervention in endocrine surgery. In hands of experienced surgeons, the risk of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia decreases; however, it remains the main complication, reaching an incidence of up to 60%. Numerous factors can predict the risk of hypocalcemia: biochemical, surgical and pathophysiological. An internet search was carried out for original articles, systematic reviews and narrative reviews in Spanish and English, using platforms and search engines (PubMed, Scielo, Honduras Virtual Health Library, Google Scholar), period 2014-2023, using the terms thyroidectomy, hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism, to collect data on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. It was concluded that hypocalcemia is the most common complication after a thyroidectomy. The predictors of hypocalcemia were serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, preoperative vitamin D and magnesium. Patients who developed hypocalcemia should be managed based on serum calcium assessed the morning after surgery.