ABSTRACT
The study included 48 patients with non-toxic multinodular goitre. In 24 patients [group A] truncal ligation of inferior thyroid arteries was performed and in other 24 [group B] ligation of branches of inferior thyroid arteries at the capsule of the gland was done. The two groups were compared regarding the effect of the procedure on postoperative parathyroid function. Serum total calcium, albumin, and parathormone [PTH] levels were measured before operation and at 6, 24, 72 hours after operation and finally at 3-5 months follow-up. Only 40 patients reported for follow-up. None of the patients in either group had clinical tetany. All the patients had a fall in serum total calcium and albumin level during the first 24-48 hours after operation. Temporary hypocalcaemia occurred in 15 patients [31%]; 7 belonged to group A and 8 belonged to group B. Overt hypocalcaemia occurred in 7 patients; 3 belonged to group A and 4 belonged to group B, whereas subclinical hypocalcaemia occurred in 8 patients [16.5%], 4 from each group. Parathyroid function recovered in 96% of patients by 3 months. Two patients one from each group, had prolonged hypocalcaemia and were still having low corrected serum calcium and PTH levels at two months follow-up. They however, recovered fully by 5 months. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups of patients studied regarding total calcium, corrected serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. The results confirmed that truncal ligation of inferior thyroid arteries during subtotal thyroidectomy does not cause hypoparathyroidism