Effect of preoperative vitamin D deficiency on postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery

Abstract

Background: Transient post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia occurs in up to 30% of patients. We evaluated the effect of vitamin D deficiency on post thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Methods: This is a prospective study which was conducted from November 2010 to January 2013 and a total of 35 patients were included and data was analyzed regarding the relation between preoperative vitamin D3 levels and occurrence of post- thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. Patients were divided into two groups dependent upon the preoperative serum vitamin D level: group 1 with vitamin D levels <20 ng/ml and group 2 with serum vitamin D levels