title: A "safe and effective" protocol for management of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the outcomes of a protocol to manage hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy (TTX).
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of prospectively collected data was performed in 130 patients who underwent TTX after the introduction of a specific protocol. These patients were compared with a control group of 195 patients who underwent TTX the year prior when routine calcium supplementation was utilized and no specific protocol was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 120 patients in whom the protocol was followed, 44 (37%) patients were classified as high risk, 15 (13%) intermediate risk, and 61 (51%) low risk. The protocol had a sensitivity of 85% and a negative predictive value of 92% for predicting subsequent hypocalcemia. With the implementation of the protocol, there was significant reduction in temporary hypocalcemia events (P = .008) and intravenous calcium drip (P = .49). Also, calcium supplementation was significantly lower in the protocol group (P ≤ .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This hypocalcemia protocol identifies patients who do not require additional supplementation and additional monitoring. At the same time, it identifies those who will benefit from supplementation after TTX.
authors.affiliation: Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop C313, 12361 East 17th Place, Room 6001, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: maria.albuja-cruz@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Maria B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Albuja-Cruz
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Nikita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pozdeyev
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Radhika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chandramouli
authors.affiliation: Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop C313, 12361 East 17th Place, Room 6001, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Raeburn
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klopper
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.affiliation: Division of GI, Tumor and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop C313, 12361 East 17th Place, Room 6001, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium
keywords: Hypocalcemia; Parathyroid hormone; Post-thyroidectomy; Protocol