title: Role of pre and post-operative oral calcium and vitamin D supplements in prevention of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the role of pre and post-operative oral calcium and vitamin D supplements in prevention of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 consecutive patients, undergoing total thyroidectomy, were enrolled. Oral calcium and vitamin D were administered in the pre and post-operative time. The data concerning symptomatic and laboratoristic hypocalcemia were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia was very low (6%); incidence of laboratoristic hypocalcemia was 10%. No permanent hypocalcemia developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementing oral calcium and vitamin D both before and after total thyroidectomy can reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia related to surgery.
authors.affiliation: Second University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Docimo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tolone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pasquali
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Conzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casalino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gili
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brusciano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gubitosi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Genio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Docimo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium