title: Comparison of calcitriol versus cholecalciferol therapy in addition to oral calcium after total thyroidectomy with central neck lymph node dissection: a prospective randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of oral calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and to compare the effects of cholecalciferol versus calcitriol treatments on postoperative hypocalcemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  After total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection, 306 patients were divided into 4 groups according to "routine use versus on-demand use" and "cholecalciferol versus calcitriol."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypocalcemic symptoms developed in 101 patients (33.0%). Hypocalcemia developed less frequently in patients receiving routine supplementation regardless of vitamin D type. However, routine supplementation did not prevent severe hypocalcemia. In patients receiving on-demand supplements, calcitriol was more effective and faster acting than was cholecalciferol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine oral calcium and vitamin D supplements are beneficial after total thyroidectomy with central neck lymph node dissection with no difference between cholecalciferol and calcitriol. If taken after the onset of hypocalcemia, however, calcitriol along with calcium carbonate seems to be more effective than is cholecalciferol with calcium carbonate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jun-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Wan Wook
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Se-Kyung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye In
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jae Hyuck
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jeong Eon
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seok Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Jung-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jee Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002117:Calcitriol; D002119:Calcium Carbonate