Background: Comparative studies among protocols for the management of post-total thyroidectomy (TT) hypocalcemia are lacking. We compared the effectiveness of PTH-driven selective supplementation (PD-SS) and routine calcium and calcitriol supplementation with preoperative calcitriol administration in preventing symptomatic hypocalcemia (SH) and readmission.
Methods: Three-hundred consecutive patients undergoing TT were assigned to 3 groups: the PD-SS group, the high-dose routine supplementation (HD-RS) group and the low-dose routine supplementation (LD-RS) group.
Results: Mean post-operative stay was shorter in HD-RS patients when compared to PD-SS and LD-RS (p < 0.001). Significantly more patients in the PD-SS group experienced SH (p = 0.042). The rate of post-operative hypocalcemia was not significantly different among the groups (p = 0.063). No readmission for SH or hypercalcemia occurred.
Conclusions: HD-RS emerged as the most effective treatment to prevent SH, without increasing the risk of readmission for calcitriol-related hypercalcemia. Basing on the present results, HD-RS should be recommended as the preferable protocol.
Keywords: Calcitriol; Complications; Hypocalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Oral calcium; Total thyroidectomy.
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