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Abstract

Background: Hypocalcaemia is a well recognized complication of thyroid surgery. We havecompared the prevalence of hypocalcaemia in our patients following ligation and non-ligation ofthe inferior thyroid artery (ITA) during thyroid surgery. Methods: A prospective observationalstudy 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 wereoperated, majority of them being female (97.10%). Transient hypocalcaemia was observed in4.29% patients in Group I and 3.4% patients in Group II. Permanent hypocalcaemia was observedin 1.84% and 1.36% patients in Group I and Group II, respectively. Results were statisticallyinsignificant (p value > 0.5%). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in post-operativehypocalcaemia whether or not the ITA is ligated.Keywords: Thyroidectomy; Hypocalcaemia; Inferior thyroid artery