A Cohort Study Assessing the Association Between Body Composition Parameters and Symptomatic Hypocalcemia After Total...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• General Surgery

Background:

• Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication after total thyroidectomy, often leading to extended hospital stays.
• Understanding risk factors is crucial for managing patients and improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between body composition and symptomatic hypocalcemia post-total thyroidectomy.
• To identify disease- and patient-related factors influencing hypocalcemia incidence.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 144 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.
• Patients categorized based on symptomatic hypocalcemia presence.
• Analysis of body composition and clinical factors against hypocalcemia.

Main Results:

• Symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 19.4% of patients; no permanent cases.
• Risk factors included larger nodules (≥40 mm), retrosternal goiters, central lymph node dissection (LND), and parathyroid autotransplantation.
• No correlation found between body composition and hypocalcemia incidence.
• Lower preoperative intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, retrosternal goiters, central LND, and parathyroid autotransplantation independently predicted hypocalcemia.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative iPTH levels, retrosternal goiters, central LND, and parathyroid autotransplantation are significant predictors of symptomatic hypocalcemia.
• Body composition parameters do not influence the likelihood of developing hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.