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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Intra-Operative Neural Monitoring of Thyroid Surgery in a Porcine Model
Published on: February 11, 2019
Delayed recognition of hypomagnesemia causing refractory Hypocalcemia after Reoperative neck surgery in a
Carlos Solórzano Flores1, Sindy Michelle Vásquez1, Andrea Pineda2
1Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Calle La Salud, Edificio Administrativo, Tegucigalpa 11101, Honduras.
Abstract:
Postoperative hypocalcemia following cervical surgery is typically attributed to hypoparathyroidism. However, hypomagnesemia is a reversible cause that impairs parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and target-organ responsiveness. We report a 35-year-old woman with recurrent symptomatic hypocalcemia after reoperative neck exploration for recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Despite aggressive calcium and vitamin D supplementation, hypocalcemia persisted with inappropriately suppressed PTH. Due to resource limitations, serum magnesium evaluation was delayed until postoperative day 6, revealing severe hypomagnesemia. Magnesium repletion led to prompt serum calcium improvement and partial PTH recovery. Although the lack of contemporaneous phosphate and serial PTH measurements is a limitation, the rapid clinical response strongly supports a functional hypoparathyroid state. This case emphasizes early magnesium assessment in refractory postoperative hypocalcemia, demonstrating how resource limitations can delay diagnosis and prolong morbidity.
