Dahmen, Pieter (2025) Prevention of Postoperative Hypocalcaemia with Routine Oral Calcium Supplementation in Parathyroidectomy. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prophylactic calcium and vitamin D-3 supplementation on the incidence of hypocalcaemia following parathyroidectomy. In addition, postoperative complications, emergency room (ER) visits, the length of hospital stay, and follow-up appointments were assessed. Methods: In 2020, a postoperative protocol was implemented at Isala Hospital in Zwolle. All patients undergoing parathyroidectomy received standardised postoperative care, including calcium and vitamin D-3 supplementation (Calcichew/D3 1000mg/800IU). These patients were included in the intervention group (2020–2022). The control group consisted of patients who underwent surgery prior to protocol implementation (2017–2019). Data were retrospectively collected. Results: 156 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism were analysed (control: N=74, intervention: N=82). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of severe hypocalcaemia (£1.90 mmol/L), complications, number of ER visits or follow-up appointments. However, there were more cases of hypocalcaemia in the control group compared to the intervention group (18 vs. 8, p<0.05), and significantly more asymptomatic hypocalcaemia cases in the control group (10 vs. 2, p<0.05). The length of hospital stay was 14.3 hours less in the intervention group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings support the routine use of calcium and vitamin D-3 supplementation to improve perioperative management and reduce overall healthcare burden. Supplementation was associated with fewer mild and asymptomatic hypocalcaemia cases, and reduced admission times, thus justifying same-day discharge. Future research is warranted to confirm these findings and refine postoperative protocols.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Hol, Dr. Jeroen and Dalsen, Dr. Annette van and Brecht Francken, Dr. Anne |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Feb 2026 13:45 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Feb 2026 13:45 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3891 |
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