Table 2.

Factors that influence post-operative hypocalcaemia.

Surgical	Rough tissue handling Intra-operative angiospasm Bleeding in the surgical field Capsular dissection Energy devices Magnification (loupes, etc.) Endoscopic surgery Two or more glands visualised and preserved Inadvertent parathyroidectomy of two or more glands Recurrent goitre Lymph node dissection for cancer	Hinders identification Protective Protective Protective Protective Inferior glands especially at risk
Anatomical	Anomalous location End arteries
Metabolic	Graves’ disease and thyrotoxicosis Macrodilution General anaesthesia Hypomagnesemia Hypothermia	Hungry bone syndrome