TO LIGATE OR NOT THE INFERIOR THYROID ARTERY TO AVOID HYPOCALCAEMIA AFTER THYROID SURGERY

Authors

  • Ishtiaq Ahmed Chaudhary
  • Zia ud Din Afridi
  • Sami ullah
  • Rehan Masood
  • Ashraf Ali Mallhi

Abstract

Background: Hypocalcaemia is a well recognized complication of thyroid surgery. We have
compared the prevalence of hypocalcaemia in our patients following ligation and non-ligation of
the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) during thyroid surgery. Methods: A prospective observational
study was done from January 2000 to December 2004, at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi.
All patients undergoing subtotal or total thyroidectomy were placed in two groups at random.
Group I had ITA ligated whereas in Group II, ITA was not ligated. Results: 310 patients were
operated, majority of them being female (97.10%). Transient hypocalcaemia was observed in
4.29% patients in Group I and 3.4% patients in Group II. Permanent hypocalcaemia was observed
in 1.84% and 1.36% patients in Group I and Group II, respectively. Results were statistically
insignificant (p value > 0.5%). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in post-operative
hypocalcaemia whether or not the ITA is ligated.
Keywords: Thyroidectomy; Hypocalcaemia; Inferior thyroid artery

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How to Cite

Chaudhary, I. A., Afridi, Z. ud D., ullah, S., Masood, R., & Mallhi, A. A. (2007). TO LIGATE OR NOT THE INFERIOR THYROID ARTERY TO AVOID HYPOCALCAEMIA AFTER THYROID SURGERY. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 19(2), 19–22. Retrieved from https://www.jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/jamc/index.php/jamc/article/view/5005

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