ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypocalcaemia is a common and serious complication after thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of first postoperative day parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement in order to predict the presence and severity of postthyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. METHODS: One hundred consecutive cases undergoing total thyroidectomy in a tertiary referral center were prospectively assessed. Preoperative measurements of PTH were compared with postoperative levels in the first morning after surgery. All cases of hypocalcaemia were recorded and evaluated with regard to preoperative and postoperative levels of PTH. RESULTS: A decrease of 56% of PTH levels on the first postoperative day could accurately predict postoperative hypocalcaemia with a sensitivity and specificity of 80%. CONCLUSION: Serum PTH levels on the first postoperative day may be used as a reliable predictive marker for calcium supplementation need and even prolonged hospitalization in cases undergoing total thyroidectomy.