OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between perioperative changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and the likelihood of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. STUDY DESIGN: In a series of 78 patients undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy, PTH levels were measured before surgery and at 10 minutes after removal of the thyroid gland. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized collection of serum from 78 consecutive total or completion thyroidectomy procedures performed by a single surgeon was carried out over 18 months. Analysis is made of PTH levels, serum calcium values, need for calcium supplementation, and symptoms of hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Both a PTH change of 75% and an absolute postoperative PTH of 7 pg/mL are accurate standards for predicting symptomatic hypocalcemia after total or completion thyroid surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative PTH levels are a tool for the prediction of postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy. A PTH level drawn 10 minutes after removal of the thyroid predicts the likelihood of postoperative hypocalcemia.
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Scurry et al. (2005) studied this question.
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