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Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy
Published on: July 14, 2023
Early Postoperative PTH Determination as Predictor for Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia
Ahmed Youssef1,2, Amr Kholief2, Austin Milton1
1Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.
Objective:
Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is a major complication following total thyroidectomy. This study aimed to evaluate early postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement as a predictor of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy and its impact on same-day discharge.
Methods:
This study combined a prospective IRB-approved correlation study of 60 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with a meta-analysis of 5 observational studies.
Results:
Using Pearson Correlation Coefficient correlation, there was a significant positive correlation between PTH measured 1H after surgery with 4 H PTH (PCC = 0.787) and 4H Ionized Ca (PCC = 0.642). The sensitivity of early PTH measurement (cutoff < 14 pg/mL) for detecting hypocalcemia was 100%, with an AUC of 0.977 (95% CI: 0.565-1.0). Meta-analysis of previous studies confirmed a strong positive association between early PTH and late measurements.
Conclusions:
Early PTH measurement at 1 hour after surgery is a highly sensitive tool for detecting post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia, which may help reduce hospital stay following thyroidectomy.
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