[Complications in thyroid surgery: symptomatic post-operative hypoparathyroidism incidence, surgical technique, and treatment].

Abstract

Postoperative hypocalcemia is the most immediate surgical complication of total thyroidectomy; it is a multifactorial phenomenon, where surgical technique has a greater phisiopatologic impact. However, hypoparatyroidism does not appeared to be the main reason for hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy, and other causes (surgical stress, "hungry bone syndrome", release of calcitonin during surgical manipulation) may be important contributory factors. In conclusion, as we exposed, extent of resection, surgical technique and thyroid pathologic condition had a greater impact on the rates of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. By developing understanding of the anatomy and the ways to prevent each complication, the surgeon can minimize each patient's risk and can handle complications expediently and avoid worse consequence.