| Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication of total or completion thyroidectomy. P ostoperative hypocalcemia is a well-recognized complication after thyroidectomy, of which reportedly, prevalence ranges from 10% to 83% . magnesium is a crucial element in human metabolism pathway, acting as cofactor in enzymatic reaction. To investigate the role of magnesium in biochemical and symptomatic hypocalcemia, a retrospective study was conducted. For the safety of patients, the possibility of both symptomatic and biochemical hypocalcemia should be considered together before deciding early discharge. Using intact PTH for symptomatic hypocalcemia and day-1 ionized serum calcium level for biochemical hypocalcemia will be helpful for the reliable prediction of heterogeneous nature of postoperative hypocalcemia. Proper surgical techniques and identification of the parathyroid glands is important in preventing hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. Additionally, for predicting hypocalcemia the relative and not absolute PTH levels should be more emphasized.ddd |
