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VOLUME 15 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2023 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Exploring the Presence of Risk Factors for Developing Hypocalcemia after Thyroid Surgery: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Jordan

Joud O Baki, Hana N Haimour, Eman A Al-omoush, Mohammad E Salameh, Khaled S Jabaiti, Ayman A Mismar

Keywords : Hypocalcemia, Risk factors, Thyroidectomy

Citation Information : Baki JO, Haimour HN, Al-omoush EA, Salameh ME, Jabaiti KS, Mismar AA. Exploring the Presence of Risk Factors for Developing Hypocalcemia after Thyroid Surgery: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Jordan. World J Endoc Surg 2023; 15 (2):34-39.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10002-1454

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 30-10-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: In our study, we aim to identify the presence of certain risk factors for developing hypocalcemia among patients who underwent thyroid surgery at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) to help endocrine surgeons improve the clinical outcomes of their patients. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study at JUH located in Amman, Jordan. Our sample included 200 patients who underwent thyroid surgery at JUH over 2 years (2017–2018). We collected data retrospectively from the medical electronic files of patients. The studied factors included age, gender, comorbidities, surgery type, thyroid pathological results, cervical lymph node dissection, incidental removal of parathyroid glands, and preoperative and postoperative calcium and phosphorus levels. Hypocalcemia was defined as serum calcium level <8 mg/dL or the presence of its signs and symptoms. It was categorized into transient hypocalcemia (early and late) and permanent hypocalcemia. We applied descriptive statistics including charts, frequencies, and percentages. Results: Hypocalcemia was detected in 19 (9.5%) patients out of 200 postoperatively, from which 16 presented with transient hypocalcemia and three presented with permanent hypocalcemia. Around 16 patients out of 19 were females and only three were males. Total thyroidectomy constituted 68.4% of their surgical operations. Papillary carcinoma was the most common thyroid pathology followed by multinodular goiter. Three out of 12 patients who had central lymph node dissection experienced hypocalcemia. Conclusion: Important risk factors were present among patients who developed hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery at JUH. Our study helps in determining the high-risk groups of patients and constitutes the basis for further studies in our region. Clinical significance: Our study draws the attention of endocrine surgeons in our region to take more precautions among patients presenting with risk factors for developing hypocalcemia to help them avoid this complication after thyroidectomy.

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