| Transient hypocalcemia is a frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. Routine postoperative administration of vitamin
D and calcium can reduce the incidence of symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemiaIt has been hypothesized that there is a
relationship between underlying vitamin D deficiency and the risk of post-operative hypocalcemia. We performed a crosssectional review on 50 thyroidectomies from Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital,Chennai. Pre-operative vitamin D
levels and post-operative calcium level were obtained. The incidence of hypocalcemic symptoms was studied. Biochemical
hypocalcemia was defined as any single post-operative corrected calcium level < 8.0 mg/dl (to convert to millimoles per liter,
multiply by 0.25).There was a significant differentiation between mean of vitamin D levels in hypocalcemic group and
normocalcemic group. The results of this study indicate that routine pre and post TT calcium and Vitamin D supplementation
can significantly reduce post operative hypocalcemia. We, therefore, suggest the same in the prevention of post TT
hypocalcemia, which ultimately can also decrease prolonged hospitalization of patients and costs associated with multiple
blood sampling. Patient with lower vitamin D levels should benefit from a screening for post-operative hypocalcemia. Preoperative vitamin D levels appear to have a significant effect on the risk of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemiaddd |
