Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a common complication of thyroidectomy. Damage to the root blood vessel of the parathyroid or inadvertent removal of the thyroid leads to transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism. The incidence of hypoparathyroidis...
Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a common complication of thyroidectomy. Damage to the root blood vessel of the parathyroid or inadvertent removal of the thyroid leads to transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy has a wide range with a rate of 6.9∼46% in transient cases, and 0.4∼33% in permanent cases. Most postoperative hypoparathyroidism occur within the first 24∼48 hours, and parathyroid function usually improves within one week. Treatment of postoperative hypoparathyroidism depends on the severity of the symptoms and the degree of hypocalcemia. This article reviews the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy.