[Concentration of calcium and phosphorus in patients after thyroidectomy without ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries (author's transl)].

In 150 patients who underwent surgery of the thyroid gland without ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were examined and the patients checked for clinical signs of hypoparathyroidism. In 149 patients without symptoms of tetania over the first 3 postoperative days a decrease of calcium could be observed as it happens likewise after cholecystectomies. Only one patient presented an acute state of hypoparathyroidism postoperatively. In this case the decrease of calcium turned out to be very rapid. Omitting the ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries lowers the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism thus meeting the demand for a functional resection.