Postoperative Hypocalcemia After Thyroidectomy

NCT07428057 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 1878/02/2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 600
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This retrospective cohort study investigates predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy procedures at Minia University Hospital over a 10-year period (2014-2024). Postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications of thyroid surgery, affecting 20-50% of patients. The study aims to identify demographic, clinical, laboratory, and surgical factors associated with the development of both transient and permanent hypocalcemia. Results will inform risk stratification, patient counseling, and perioperative management strategies.

Conditions

Thyroid Nodule; Thyroid Dysfunction; Hypocalcemia; Thyroid Cancer; Postoperative Complications

Keywords

Thyroidectomy; Postoperative hypocalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Parathyroid gland injury; Total thyroidectomy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incidence of Postoperative Hypocalcemia

  Development of hypocalcemia defined as: Serum total calcium \<8.0 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L) OR Ionized calcium \<1.0 mmol/L OR Symptomatic hypocalcemia (perioral numbness, paresthesias, carpopedal spasm, positive Chvostek's orTrousseau's sign) requiring calcium supplementation Measured at: 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively

  Within 6 months post-surgery

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Incidence of Transient Hypocalcemia

  Up to 6 months post-surgery

• Incidence of Permanent Hypocalcemia

  6 months post-surgery

• Incidence of Symptomatic Hypocalcemia

  Within 2 weeks post-surgery

• Hospital Length of Stay

  From surgery to discharge, typically 2-5 days

• Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation Requirement

  Up to 6 months post-surgery

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This retrospective cohort study will include adult patients (aged 18 years and older) who underwent a thyroidectomy procedure at Minia University Hospital, a tertiary care centre in Egypt, between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2024. The target population consists of approximately 600 consecutive patients who meet the eligibility criteria. This includes patients with available medical records containing complete surgical and postoperative data, documented postoperative serum calcium levels, and a minimum of 6 months of follow-up or a documented outcome status. Patients will be excluded if they have preoperative hypocalcemia, pre-existing parathyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease (Stage 3 or higher), or other conditions that significantly affect calcium metabolism. The study population represents a consecutive sample of all patients meeting these criteria over the 10-year study period at this single academic center.

You may qualify if:

• Adult patients aged 18 years or older at time of surgery
• Underwent thyroidectomy at Minia University Hospital
• Availability of medical records with complete surgical and postoperative data
• Documented serum calcium levels measured postoperatively
• Minimum follow-up of 6 months postoperatively or documented outcome status

You may not qualify if:

• Age less than 18 years at time of surgery
• Preoperative hypocalcemia (serum calcium \<8.0 mg/dL or ionized calcium \<1.0 mmol/L)
• Pre-existing parathyroid disorders (primary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism)
• Chronic kidney disease Stage 3 or higher (estimated glomerular filtration rate \<60 mL/min/1.73m²)
• Malabsorption syndromes affecting calcium metabolism (celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease,short bowel syndrome)
• Concurrent planned parathyroidectomy
• History of neck irradiation
• Chronic use of medications significantly affecting calcium metabolism (bisphosphonates, denosumab,cinacalcet, chronic corticosteroids)
• Incomplete medical records lacking essential data including surgical details, postoperative calcium levels,or follow-up data
• Patients lost to follow-up before 6-month endpoint without documented outcome status

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Minia University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Minia University Hospital

Minya, Minya Governorate, 61519, Egypt

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

• Edafe O, Antakia R, Laskar N, Uttley L, Balasubramanian SP. Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Br J Surg. 2014 Mar;101(4):307-20. doi: 10.1002/bjs.9384. Epub 2014 Jan 9.

  PMID: 24402815 BACKGROUND

• Thomusch O, Machens A, Sekulla C, Ukkat J, Brauckhoff M, Dralle H. The impact of surgical technique on postoperative hypoparathyroidism in bilateral thyroid surgery: a multivariate analysis of 5846 consecutive patients. Surgery. 2003 Feb;133(2):180-5. doi: 10.1067/msy.2003.61.

  PMID: 12605179 BACKGROUND

• Lorente-Poch L, Sancho JJ, Ruiz S, Sitges-Serra A. Importance of in situ preservation of parathyroid glands during total thyroidectomy. Br J Surg. 2015 Mar;102(4):359-67. doi: 10.1002/bjs.9676. Epub 2015 Jan 20.

  PMID: 25605285 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Thyroid Nodule; Hypocalcemia; Thyroid Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications; Hypoparathyroidism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Endocrine System Diseases; Thyroid Diseases; Calcium Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Parathyroid Diseases

Study Officials

• Saleh K Saleh, MD

  Minia University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Saleh K Saleh, MD

CONTACT

01201765401; salehkhairy@mu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 17, 2026
• First Posted: February 23, 2026
• Study Start: March 4, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2026
• Study Completion: August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)