INTRODUCTION: Development of hypocalcaemia is a serious complication to total thyroidectomy (TT). The measurement of intact plasma @entity461 (iPTH) has been internationally described as a good predictor of hypocalcaemia. Despite this, consensus in the field has yet to be reached among clinicians. We aimed to evaluate if measurement of iPTH 24 hours post-operatively (24-iPTH) can identify @entity1 who do not subsequently develop clinically significant hypocalcaemia (CSH), thereby allowing for early discharge after TT. METHODS: This was a historic cohort study of all @entity1 who had a TT in the period from January 2013 to March 2014 at the Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Only @entity1 with 24-iPTH measurements were included. Post-operative treatment with @entity460 or activated @entity560 analogue was defined as CSH. Data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 69 @entity1 were included, 80% were @entity1 , the median age was 47 and 83% had a @entity5 . A total of 35% developed CSH and the median hospitalisation period was four days. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of 24-iPTH >=  2.8 pmol/l to exclude CSH were 76%, 92% and 94%, respectively. In addition, we found that a body mass index > 25 kg/m(2) significantly increased the risk of developing CSH. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of 24-iPTH >=  2.8 pmol/l can be used to predict @entity1 who will not develop CSH after TT and allow for early discharge of more than 50% of the @entity1 . FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Post-operative XXXX can be used as a predictor of normocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['malignant disease'] @entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity461 :: ('5741', 'Gene') :: ['parathyroid hormone'] @entity560 :: ('MESH:D014807', 'Chemical') :: ['vitamin D']
@entity461 :: (5741,Gene) :: ['parathyroid hormone']
