Symptomatic Hypocalcemia After Subtotal Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 1995;11(2):185-190.
Published online November 30, 1995.

Seung Il Kim;Cheong Soo Park

그레이브스병의 갑상선 아전절제술후 저칼슘혈증

김승일;박정수

Abstract

Transient and permanent hypocalcemia after various types of thyroidectomy are well-known complications, and are more common after bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. However, their causative mechanisms are not well explained. Four hundred thirty patients with Graves' disease who underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy from January 1983 through December 1992 were analyzed to determine the incidence and risk factors for the development of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. Of the 430 patients underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy, symptomatic transient and permanent hypocalcemia developed in 24.2 % (104/430) and 0.5 % (2/430), respectively. With analysis of potential risk factors, the increase in incidence of the postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia was found to be statistically related to the larger thyroid gland, the larger amount of blood loss during thyroidectomy, the smaller remnant thyroid tissue, the higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and TBII titers. Our data suggest that impairment of parathyroid gland blood supply, degree of thyrotoxic osteodystrophy and autoimmune process of each patient are regarded as main mechanisms of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia in patients with Graves' disease.

Key Words: Graves' disease, Postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia