Even though thyroid surgery is quite safe, mechanical damage, devascularization or inadvertent removal of the parathyroid glands are possible. Though postoperative mortality is extremely low, post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is one of the most common and potentially life-threatening complication following thyroid surgery. The clinical manifestation varies from minimal twitching to life threatening tetany and can prolong the hospital stay. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of routine oral calcium with Vitamin D supplements in reducing the incidence and severity of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. This safe and cost effective therapy may prevent the threatening complications like tetany and reduce the hospital stay.
Keywords: Calcium; Hypocalcemia; Total thyroidectomy; Vitamin D.