Risk Factors of Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy

Sonia Rani, Saba Ramzan, Zahid Mehmood

Abstract

Objective

To find the frequency and risk factors of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in patients after total thyroidectomy.

Study design

Cross sectional study.

Place & Duration of study

Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi, from September 2022 to May 2023.

Methods

A prospective observational cross sectional study was conducted on patients in whom total thyroidectomy was contemplated. Information related to demography, personal habits, presence of co morbid conditions, indications of total thyroidectomy and postoperative hypoparathyroidism were collected on a pre designed form. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data and post stratification Chi square test/ Fischer exact test was applied and p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

One hundred and sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. There were 62 (53.4%) males and 54 (46.6%) female patients. The mean age, body mass index, height and weight of the study population were 44.89±10.56 years, 27.45±3.58 Kg/m2, 156.5±8.58 cm and 76.8±10.69 Kg respectively. Seventy-two (62.06%) patients were operated for non-toxic multinodular goiter, 23(19.8%) for papillary carcinoma of thyroid, 12 (10.34%) for Graves’ disease, 8 (6.8%) for toxic multinodular goiter and 1 (0.08%) for anaplastic carcinoma. Twenty (17.2%) patients developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism. It was transient in nature and improved within three months.

Conclusion

High prevalence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was seen in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

Key words

Hypoparathyroidism, Total thyroidectomy, Goiter, Calcium metabolism, Neck surgery.