M. Dolapci et al., Truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries does not affect the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy, EURO J SURG, 166(4), 2000, pp. 286-288
Objective: To assess the effect of truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid
arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy on the incidence of hypoc
alcaemia after thyroidectomy.
Design: Prospective non-randomised study, Setting: Teaching hospital, Turke
y.
Subjects: 216 patients who had bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for non-tox
ic nodular goitre: between 1990 and 1996.
Interventions: The trunk of the each inferior thyroid artery was simply lig
ated during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy.
Main outcome measures: Clinical examination, and measurement of serum calci
um, ionised calcium, and inorganic phosphate concentrations before and afte
r operation.
Results: Four patients (2%) had low concentrations of total and ionised cal
cium during the postoperative period. On physical examination three of them
had spasms of the facial nerve, as seen in tetany. They were given calcium
supplements orally and their laboratory results returned to reference rang
es within 180 days. No patients developed permanent hypocalcaemia.
Conclusion: Truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilate
ral subtotal thyroidectomy has no effect on the incidence of hypocalcaemia
after thyroidectomy.