Prevention of Hypocalcemia in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy Plus Central Neck Dissection
Prevention of Hypocalcemia in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy Plus Central Neck Dissection
the increased risk of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection
 can be minimized by routine administration of oral calcium and vitamin D supplements during
 the early postoperative period.
Of patients with differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma, group D underwent total
 thyroidectomy alone and groups A-C underwent total thyroidectomy plus CND. The latter were
 randomized to oral calcium (3 g/day) plus vitamin D (1 mcg/day) (group A, n = 49), calcium
 alone (group B, n = 49), or no supplements (group C, n = 50). Hypocalcemic symptoms, serum
 calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were compared among the groups.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma

 -  Undergoing total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Previous thyroid or neck surgery

 -  Patients with parathyroid diseases

 -  Other thyroid malignancies

 -  Early loss of follow-up without proper evaluation of postoperative serum calcium
 levels and symptoms