Hypoparathyroidism linked to higher risk of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery

Hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia are common but usually transient after total thyroidectomy, according to a study that identified hypothyroidism, central compartment neck dissection, and parathyroid tissue in the surgical specimen being key predictors for hypoparathyroidism.

There was a 26.7% incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism and 12.3% of transient hypocalcaemia after the procedure.

Hypothyroidism prior to surgery, central compartment neck dissection, and the presence of parathyroid tissue in the surgical specimen were associated with a higher risk of transient hypoparathyroidism. Female gender, parathyroid tissue in the surgical specimen, and central compartment neck dissection were linked to an increased risk of hypocalcaemia.

The study concluded that while both conditions are common and typically transient, hypoparathyroidism is a stronger predictor of postoperative hypocalcaemia.

Reference
Lalitha JJ, Ramalingam N, Rajan R, et al. Predictors of hypocalcaemia and hypoparathyroidism in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for benign and malignant pathologies. Endocr Oncol. 2024;4(1):e240022. doi: 10.1530/EO-24-0022. PMID: 39649119; PMCID: PMC11623251.