Truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries does not affect the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy on the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy.


METHODS
Prospective non-randomised study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, Turkey.


METHODS
216 patients who had bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for non-toxic nodular goitre between 1990 and 1996.


METHODS
The trunk of the each inferior thyroid artery was simply ligated during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy.


METHODS
Clinical examination, and measurement of serum calcium, ionised calcium, and inorganic phosphate concentrations before and after operation.


RESULTS
Four patients (2%) had low concentrations of total and ionised calcium 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 ranges within 180 days. No patients developed permanent hypocalcaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy has no effect on the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy.
Dolapçi
M
M
4th Department of Surgery, Ankara Numune Hospital, Turkey.
Doğanay
M
M
Reis
E
E
Kama
N A
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods