EARLY POSTOPERATIVE PLASMA CALCIUM-CONCENTRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF THE NEED FOR CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT AFTER PARATHYROIDECTOMY

This study evaluated early postoperative serum calcium concentration a s a predictor of hypocalcaemic symptoms and the need for calcium suppl ements. A total of 64 consecutive patients undergoing curative parathy roidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism were studied. Twenty patien ts (31 per cent) developed hypocalcaemic symptoms requiring calcium su pplements. Plasma calcium levels in the preoperative and early postope rative periods were similar in patients who required calcium supplemen ts and those in whom they were not necessary. There was no significant difference in the percentage decrease in early calcium levels after o peration between the two groups. In those undergoing reoperative surge ry and subtotal parathyroidectomy the percentage decline was significa ntly higher in patients who required calcium supplements (12.8 versus 5.6 per cent, P < 0.005). A fall of 10 per cent or more was consistent ly followed by hypocalcaemic symptoms, Calcium determination in the ea rly postoperative period is of little value in predicting the onset of hypocalcaemic symptoms.