Comparison of hypocalcemia rates between LigaSure and clamp-and-tie hemostatic technique in total thyroidectomies.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative hypocalcemia (PH) is a serious complication after total thyroidectomy. This study aimed to compare PH rates between LigaSure Small Jaw (LSJ) and clamp-and-tie hemostatic technique in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

METHODS

Four hundred twenty patients were divided into two groups: group L (210 patients) performed with LSJ and group C (210 patients) with clamp-and-tie technique. Serum ionized calcium (iCa) was measured before and 12, 24, 48, 72 hours after surgery. PH was defined as iCa lower than 4.2 mg/dL in at least two measurements.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between groups in sex, age, extent of surgery, pathology, and the strategy of intraoperative management of parathyroid glands (PG). The PH rate was significantly lower in group L compared to group C (22.9% vs 32.4%, P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to clamp-and-tie technique, LigaSure is superior to decrease PH rate after total thyroidectomy.