Frequency of post-operative hypoparathyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for treating benign multinodular goiter.

Objective: To determine the frequency of post-operative hypoparathyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy in benign multinodular goiter. Study Design: Descriptive Study. Setting: Department of Surgery, Madinah Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: 20th March, 2024 to 19th September, 2024. Methods: 140 patients of benign multinodular goiter fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients with toxic goiter, recurrent goiter, any malignancy, pregnant females, autoimmune thyroiditis and vocal cord paralysis prior to the surgery were excluded. All patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy performed by senior surgeon. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels after 72 hours of surgery during the hospital stay were tested and reported by pathology laboratory of hospital. Post-operative hypoparathyroidism (serum calcium level < 2mmol/L (hypocalcemia) with parathyroid hormone < 15 pg/ml after 72 hours of the surgical procedure) was assessed. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 26. Chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05) was applied to test significance of statistics. Results: The study's age range was 25 to 75 years old, with a mean age of 49.31 ± 11.40 years. Majority of patients i.e. 57.86%, were between 25 to 50 years of age. Of these 140 patients, 80 (57.14%) were females and 60 (42.86%) were males with female to male ratio of 1.3:1. Frequency of post-operative hypoparathyroidism after subtotal thyroidectomy for treating benign multinodular goiter was found in 14 (10.0%) patients. Conclusion: Study concluded a higher chance of transient hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia following thyroid surgery more likely in young female patients. A cautious surgical approach is advised to lower the risk of postoperative-complications.