DOI: 10.36347/sasjs

Pages: 199-203

Postoperative hypocalcemia is the most frequent and common complication following total thyroidectomy. It is necessary to diagnose and treat hypocalcemia immediately after total thyroidectomy in order minimizing the post op complications. The aim of study is to measurement of serum calcium levels as predictor of post op hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. This prospective study was carried out in the Department of general surgery, Bangalore medical college and research institute, Bangalore, during the period of September 2014 to August 2015. Total of 50 patients included in the study aged between 18 and 70 with irrespective of sex who are undergoing total thyroidectomy surgery for various thyroid disease. Serum calcium levels is measured in all 50 patients preoperatively, immediate post-op, after 24hrs and 48hrs of post-op. Out of 50 patients, 18(36%) developed hypocalcemia. Out of which 15 (83.33%) patients were female and 3(16.66%) were male. Hypocalcemia was predominantly present in female patients who undergoing surgery for malignant thyroid disease.