BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy is a common complication although the majority of cases are asymptomatic. The present study was prompted in order to correlate postoperative serum calcium levels and clinical signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients operated on for total thyroidectomy were retrospectively studied at Hospital das Clínicas of São Paulo University. Serum calcium levels were measured 48 hours and six months after surgery and were correlated with signs or symptoms of hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Transient hypocalcemia occurred in 37% and permanent hypocalcemia in 18%. After six months, 50% of symptomatic patients were not hypocalcemic and 57% of hypocalcemic patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy based solely on clinical evaluation is not reliable; therefore, serum calcium levels should be monitored routinely after total thyroidectomies.
Thyroidectomy; Hypoparathyroidism; Hypocalcemia
