Evaluation of Variables Impacting the Onset of Hypocalcemia After Thyroid Surgery: A Postoperative Perspective

Abstract

All across the globe, thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure. After thyroid surgery, hypocalcaemia, which can be caused by either temporary or permanent hypoparathyroidism, is the most prevalent side effect. Objective: To quantify the frequency of hypocalcemia in individuals treated with thyroid surgery. Methods: In this descriptive study/ cross-sectional study, sixty-three cases were considered. The ages of the patients ranged from 18-60 years. Researchers checked patients' blood calcium levels both before surgery and on day one after the procedure. Those who underwent a complete thyroidectomy were checked for symptoms of low calcium levels. Utilizing SPSS version 24.0, the analysis was carried out. Results: There were more females than males among the 63 patients. In terms of tumour kind, papillary cancer, follicular cancer, and Hurthle cell carcinoma were the most prevalent. Hypocalcemia was detected in 18 instances (28.6% of the total). Thirteen females and five males constituted up the eighteen patients with hypocalcemia. In seven cases (38.9%), the retrosternal extension of goiter was detected, while in eleven cases (61.1%), no such extension was detected. Additionally, in every case, postoperative complications such as seroma, transient hoarseness of voice, or a hematoma in the neck were noted. Conclusions: Hypocalcemia was more common in 28.6% of patients following thyroid surgery, according to this research. Without retrosternal extension, the majority of the cases were female. All patients also experienced seroma, temporary hoarseness of voice, and neck hematoma in addition to hypocalcemia.