Does truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy affect serum calcium levels? A prospective, randomized, controlled study.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries on post-thyroidectomy serum calcium levels. This prospective, randomized study was carried out in 98 patients. In group 1, bilateral inferior thyroid arteries were ligated truncally during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy procedure, whereas in group 2, ligation was not performed. In all patients, serum ionized calcium levels were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and 30. There were no statistically significant differences in serum ionized calcium values between group 1 and 2 on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 30 (P > 0.05). Laboratory hypocalcemia was found on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 in 9 (9.2%), 15 (15.3%), and 2 (2.0%) patients, respectively. In all patients, laboratory hypocalcemia improved until postoperative day 5. It was thought that truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy had no effect on post-thyroidectomy serum calcium levels.