title: Predicting calcium status post thyroidectomy with early calcium levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study goals were to predict postoperative normocalcemia and hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy using calcium levels and to assess the value of a standardized protocol in managing the total thyroidectomy patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study encompassing 68 patients undergoing a total thyroidectomy using a standardized protocol. Blood to measure postoperative calcium levels was drawn at 6, 12, and 20 hours and then twice daily thereafter. Calcium slope was calculated from the 6- and 12-hour serum corrected calcium levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression analysis allowed the comparison of the 6- and 12-hour calcium slope versus proportion of normocalcemic patients postoperatively. A slope of +0.02 had a 97% chance of remaining normocalcemic (p = 0.0007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful prediction of calcium status post total thyroidectomy can be achieved using the slope of the 6- and 12-hour calcium levels. The risk of developing severe hypocalcemia can also be predicted with these slope values. Implementation of the protocol resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay for patients who remain normocalcemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husein
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hier
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Abdulhadi
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium