Independent Predictors of Symptomatic Hypocalcemia Following Thyroidectomy: Distinguishing Biochemical and Symptomatic Hypocalcemia

Background/Objectives: Postoperative hypocalcemia is the most common complication following thyroidectomy; however, previous studies have largely relied on biochemical definitions without distinguishing symptomatic hypocalcemia from asymptomatic biochemical abnormalities. This study aimed to identify the independent predictors of symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study included 245 adult patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2017 and December 2022. Patients were classified as normocalcemic (n = 88), asymptomatic biochemical hypocalcemic (n = 87), or symptomatic hypocalcemic (n = 70) according to calcium status within the first 72 postoperative hours. Demographic, surgical, biochemical, ultrasonographic, cytological, and histopathological variables were analyzed. Independent predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression.