Incidence of Post-Operative Serum Calcium Level in Thyroid Surgery, A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Health Care Hospital

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hypocalcemia following near-total and total thyroidectomy over a 2-year period from November 2022 to November 2024. Material and Method: A total of 120 patients above 12 years undergoing thyroidectomy were included. Pre-operative assessments, including clinical history, examination, fine needle aspiration cytology, thyroid function tests, ultrasound neck, and indirect laryngoscopy, were conducted. Blood samples were collected pre-operatively and postoperatively. Hypocalcemia was defined as serum calcium below 8 mg/dL and ionized calcium below 4.4 mg/dL, with transient hypocalcemia lasting less than 6 months and permanent hypocalcemia persisting beyond 6 months. Biochemical and laboratory tests, including thyroid function tests, were performed, and management involved calcium supplementation with or without vitamin D. Results: The study revealed an overall incidence of hypocalcemia at 21.6%, with 7.5% progressing to permanent hypocalcemia. Malignancy was more prevalent in males (60%), while benign disorders were common in females (60% in the age group 20-50 years). Conclusion: Postoperative hypocalcemia, though a frequent complication after near-total and total thyroidectomy, can be mitigated through proper planning, meticulous surgical techniques, and the use of advanced technologies. Regular monitoring and early intervention are imperative for patient well-being, emphasizing the importance of attention to surgical details in minimizing complications.