Postoperative calcium metabolism disorders after thyroidectomy

Trastornos posoperatorios del metabolismo del calcio postiroidectomía

Introduction: narrative review revealing how the practice of thyroidectomy alongside with hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism, its complications, has increased in recent years. Methods: searches in the PubMed, Clinical Key, Embase, Cochrane and Lilacs databases; references in Spanish and English, published between 2016 and 2020 were included. The selected articles were reviewed using CONSORT, STROBE or PRISMA, as appropriate. Results: 35 articles directly related with the topic were selected, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, prospective and observational studies, narrative reviews and expert consensus, on all five continents. The two forms of hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism can result from devascularization or accidental removal of the parathyroid glands, patient-specific factors, or from the surgical technique or the pathological characteristics of the thyroid lesion. Preventive strategies include the use of optical tools for preoperative determination of parathyroid glands location; as well as the possibility of autotransplantation after confirming parathyroid tissue in the biopsy specimen. The best marker of calcium metabolism is iPTH. Conclusions: preservation of the parathyroid glands and their irrigation is the best strategy to prevent postoperative calcium disorders.

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