Incidence of Hypocalcemia Post Thyroidectomy: Results from Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Introduction and Background: Thyroidectomy is one of the common endocrine surgery performed. Hypocalcemia is one of the most common complication post thyroidectomy. Incidence varies between 6.4-20.5% for transient and 1.5 to 2.69 for permanent hypocalcemia. Meticulous surgical technique is the key for preservation of blood supply to parathyroid gland and hence decreasing the incidence of post op hypocalcemia. Once identified should be treated with multidisciplinary approach with proper follow up. Objective: To determine the incidence of transient and perminant hypocalcemia in patients undergoing thyroidectomy in our institute for various reasons. Methods: Records of 120 patients who underwent thyroidectomy from Jan 2017 till July 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Calcium levels were checked at 6 hours post operatively to find the incidence of transient hypocalcemia and at 6-8 months interval to calculate for permanent hypocalcemia. All patients were followed till 2 years post operatively and treatment started for those with hypocalcemia and repeated calcium levels were checked and treatment was tapered and gradually stopped once normal serum calcium levels reached normal. Results: The incidence of transient hypocalcemia in our study is 4.1 % while only 0.8 % patients had permanent hypocalcemia . Conclusion: Hypocalcemia being one of the most common complication of thyroidectomy, the incidence can be reduced by paying attention to meticulous surgical techniques. It is seen mostly in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy and advanced and prolonged surgery for malignancy.