Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy
Published on: July 14, 2023
Phase II randomized study of preoperative calcitriol to prevent hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy
David C Shonka1, Anne K Maxwell2, Gina R Petroni3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Background:
A prospective, stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to observe the impact of preoperative calcitriol supplementation on serum calcium levels following total thyroidectomy.
Methods:
Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive 1 μg calcitriol or placebo for 1 week preceding thyroidectomy. The primary outcome measure was change in serum calcium from baseline to 18 h post-thyroidectomy. Subjects were also assessed for incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia, length of stay, readmission for hypocalcemia, and intravenous calcium supplementation.
Results:
Forty-seven patients underwent thyroidectomy; 23 received preoperative calcitriol supplementation, and 24 received placebo. Repeated measures regression demonstrated no difference in postoperative serum calcium over time (p = 0.22). There were no occurrences of hypocalcemia, intravenous calcium supplementation, or readmission in either group. No difference was observed in length of stay (p = 0.38). One patient in the calcitriol group developed Grade 3 hypercalcemia.
Conclusions:
Preoperative calcitriol supplementation had no impact on postoperative serum calcium levels compared to placebo.
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