title: Routine postoperative administration of vitamin D and calcium after total thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Temporary hypocalcemia is a frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. Routine postoperative administration of vitamin D and calcium can reduce the incidence of symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia. We undertook a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of this intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified randomized controlled trials comparing the administration of vitamin D or metabolites to oral calcium or no treatment in patients after total thyroidectomy in MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four studies with 706 patients were included: 346 in the calcitriol group, 288 in the oral calcium group and 72 in the control group. The rates of hypocalcemia symptoms were 4%, 19% and 31%, respectively. The OR value for the comparison between calcitriol + calcium as compared to no treatment and to exclusive calcium treatment groups was 0.32 (95% CI, 0.13-0.79) and 0.31 (95% CI, 0.14-0.70), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prophylactic treatment with vitamin D or metabolites + calcium is effective to decrease the incidence of symptoms of temporary hypocalcemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad de La Sabana, Bogota, Campus Puente del Comun, Km 21 Autopista Norte, Chia, Colombia. alvarosanabria@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanabria
authors.forename: Luis C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.forename: Valentin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D