Hypocalcemia is the complication, after total thyroidectomy, that usually determines the length of hospital stay.Serum calcium levels is a quick and cost-effective practice to recognise hypocalcemia in the postoperative follow up. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this perspective study is to determine if consecutive postoperative serum calcium levels early after total thyroidectomy can be used to identify patients who are unlikely to develop significant hypocalcemia and can be safely discharged within 24 to 48 hours postoperative.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Correlation of the variability of the levels of free serum calcium (Ca + +), between two measurements on 6 and 12 hours postoperatively, the incidence of hypocalcaemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for any reason.
Timeframe: 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, 48hr postopreratively