Prevention of Hypocalcemia in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy Plus Central Neck Dissection

Phase 2 Study of Routine Oral Calcium and Vitamine D Supplements to Prevent Hypocalcemia After Total Thyroidectomy in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients

the increased risk of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection can be minimized by routine administration of oral calcium and vitamin D supplements during the early postoperative period.

Of patients with differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma, group D underwent total thyroidectomy alone and groups A-C underwent total thyroidectomy plus CND. The latter were randomized to oral calcium (3 g/day) plus vitamin D (1 mcg/day) (group A, n = 49), calcium alone (group B, n = 49), or no supplements (group C, n = 50). Hypocalcemic symptoms, serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were compared among the groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma
• Undergoing total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous thyroid or neck surgery
• Patients with parathyroid diseases
• Other thyroid malignancies
• Early loss of follow-up without proper evaluation of postoperative serum calcium levels and symptoms