| complications of total thyroidectomy
and occurs after parathyroid injury
during surgery. The aim of this study is
to assess the incidence rate and risk
factors of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia
in patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy,
due to malignant thyroid diseases and
to determine the value of parathyroid gland
autotranplantation in thyroid cancer surgeries.
Materials and Methods: Sixty-five patients, diagnosed
with thyroid malignancy, who were
treated by total thyroidectomy with or without
radical neck dissection between 2002 and 2006,
were studied retrospectively. Of patients 60%
were female (mean age 39.59±10.24 years) and
40% were male (mean age 42.11± 11.93 years).
Complications of total thyroidectomy, permanent
and transient hypocalcaemia in particular,
were studied. In eleven patients, parathyroids
were transplanted within fibers of sternocleidomastoid
and deltoid muscles. Results: Transient
hypocalcaemia occurred in 18 patients and
was treated by intravenous and oral calcium
supplements. None of patients progressed to
permanent hypocalcaemia. Temporary recurrent
laryngeal nerve paresis occurred in 2% of patients
but there was no case of paralysis. There
was a significant difference in hypocalcaemia
occurrence between patients, who had just total
thyroidectomy and those who underwent thyroidectomyt
with neck dissection (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy
is a serious and dangerous complication,
requiring prompt diagnosis and proper treatment.
Parathyroid gland transplantation for an
injured or incidentally removed parathyroid, between
fibers of sternocleidomastoid or deltoid
muscles, can prevent the occurrence of permanent
hypocalcaemia |