Prospective observational study of occurrence of temporary hypocalcemia and transient hoarseness of voice after total thyroidectomy in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the occurrence of temporary hypocalcaemia and transient hoarseness of voice after total thyroidectomy in our centre. This is a prospective observational study carried out from 1st November 2010 to 30th October 2013 at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan. A total of 57 patients with multinodular goiter were assigned for total thyroidectomy following a standard surgical technique. The primary outcomes were occurrence of temporary hypocalcaemia and transient hoarseness of voice after surgery. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 10.0 and p value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. 57 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 47.4±13.3. The majority of them were female and Malay (93.0% and 68.4%). After total thyroidectomy, 34 patients was found to have hypocalcemia, 26 transient hypocalcemia and 8 permanent hypocalcemia (45.6% and 14.0%) and 10 (17.5%) patients was found to have hoarseness of voice, which resolved within 12 weeks. Difficult intubation and thyroid weight were not significant in post-operative outcome. Total thyroidectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice in the management of multinodular goitre as it is safe and effective. Incidence of inadvertent injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands can be reduced with meticulous surgical techniques and skills.