Shonka DC, Maxwell AK, Petroni GR, et al. - In this prospective, stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers sought to assess the effect of preoperative calcitriol supplementation on serum calcium levels following total thyroidectomy. Study participants were randomized 1:1 to get 1 μg calcitriol or placebo for 1 week preceding thyroidectomy. Change in serum calcium from baseline to 18 h post-thyroidectomy was the primary outcome measure. The incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia, length of stay, readmission for hypocalcemia, and intravenous calcium supplementation were also evaluated in the participants. When compared with a placebo, preoperative calcitriol supplementation had no effect on postoperative serum calcium levels.