Estimation of ionized calcium levels after thyroidectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital [Jeddah]

ABSTRACT

This retrospective study included 120 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital between January 1999 and September 2003. The study aimed to determine the incidence of hypocalcemia by measuring ionized calcium level. The data included preoperative and postoperative ionized calcium level, albumin, free thyroxine, thyrotopin and alkaline phosphatase. The medical notes were reviewed for age, gender, type of thyroidectomy and pathological characteristics of resected thyroid tissue and autotransplantion of parathyroid gland. Treatment of postoperative hypocalcemia and duration of treatment were recorded. It was found that measuring ionized calcium level post thyroidectomy to avoid unnecessary calcium supplementation resulting from diagnosing hypocalcemia from measuring total calcium level alone is more accurate and more appropriate