Hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy. Analysis of a recent and consecutive series

We analyzed a recent and consecutive series of 254 thyroidectomies performed during the last year to verify the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. 249 patients were included in the study and were divided into 2 groups according to the extension of the thyroidectomy. In the first group of 49 patients treated by lobectomy no one developed hypoparathyroidism. In the second group of 200 patients, of which 53 were treated by subtotal and 147 by total thyroidectomy, postoperative hypoparathyroidism was found in 28 (14%) patients, but it was persistent (lasting six months or longer) in 8 (4%). Global incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was statistically higher in total thyroidectomy vs subtotal thyroidectomy (17% vs 5.66%; p < 0.05); however persistent hypoparathyroidism incidence wasn't statistically higher in total thyroidectomy (5.4% vs 0%; p = n.s.). As far as thyroid disorders that require bilateral thyroidectomy χ2-test showed a trend of persistent hypoparathyroidism to be more frequent in patients operated on for Graves' disease and thyroid cancer than in other thyroid disorders.