title: Perioperative parathyroid hormone assay for diagnosis and management of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between perioperative changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) level and the likelihood of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a series of 78 patients undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy, PTH levels were measured before surgery and at 10 minutes after removal of the thyroid gland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, nonrandomized collection of serum from 78 consecutive total or completion thyroidectomy procedures performed by a single surgeon was carried out over 18 months. Analysis is made of PTH levels, serum calcium values, need for calcium supplementation, and symptoms of hypocalcemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both a PTH change of 75% and an absolute postoperative PTH of 7 pg/mL are accurate standards for predicting symptomatic hypocalcemia after total or completion thyroid surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perioperative PTH levels are a tool for the prediction of postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy. A PTH level drawn 10 minutes after removal of the thyroid predicts the likelihood of postoperative hypocalcemia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State University College of Medicine, 600 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: W Cooper
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Scurry
authors.forename: Kirt S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Beus
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hollenbeak
authors.forename: Brendan C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Stack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D002118:Calcium