Determination of risk factors causing hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery

The most common complication after thyroid surgery is hypocalcaemia and it sometimes leads to problems that are difficult to correct in patients. The present study was aimed to determine the risk factors causing the development of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery.

818 adult patients were included in the study. The data were recorded by examining the hospital automation system and patient files retrospectively. Patients' demographic characteristics, radiological imaging findings, serum biochemical parameters, extent of the performed surgery, histopathological diagnoses were recorded.

The rate of hypocalcaemia was 28.4% (1.7% permanent). In multivariate analysis: the female gender (p = 0.002), heavier thyroid gland (p = 0.084), substernal location (p = 0.004) and cervical lymph nodes dissection (CLND) (p < 0.001) were found to be significantly. Malignant thyroid pathology (p = 0.006) and total thyroidectomy (p = 0.025) increased the risk of hypocalcaemia significantly in univariate analysis. However, this increase in risk was not found to be statistically significant in regression analysis. Significant statistical result was not found on postoperative hypocalcaemia in terms of advanced age, hyperthyroidism and re-operation. The duration of hospitalization was higher in patients with postoperative hypocalcaemia (m = 2 days) (p < 0.001).

In our analyses CLND, female gender, substernal location and heavier thyroid gland was found to be the independent risk factors in the development of postoperative hypocalcaemia. The development of postoperative hypocalcaemia may be predicted and measures may be taken to prevent clinical findings.