Dhahri AA, Ahmad R, Rao A, et al. - A single preoperative dose of dexamethasone was found to be safe and effective in reducing postoperative hypocalcemia and voice dysfunction rates in patients undergoing thyroidectomy in this double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

• This trial took place at the Department of Surgery, Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 15, 2014, to December 31, 2019.

• In total, 192 patients (mean [SD] age, 38.9 [12.4] years; 156 women [81.2%]) were involved in the study, with 96 patients randomized to each study group (dexamethasone group, mean [SD] age, 39.2 [12.1] years; 75 women [78.1%]; placebo group, mean [SD] age, 38.5 [12.9] years; 81 women [84.5%]).

• In the first 24 hours following thyroidectomy, 47 patients (24.4%) developed hypocalcemia, and 18 (9.4%) were symptomatic.

• At 3 days after thyroidectomy, 4 of 96 patients (4.2%) in the placebo group had hypocalcemia, whereas no patients in the dexamethasone group had hypocalcemia.

• At 24 hours after thyroidectomy, 8 of 96 patients (8.3%) in the dexamethasone group had voice dysfunction, compared with 32 of 96 (33.3%) in the placebo group.

• Voice dysfunction was reported by 40 patients (20.8%).

• At 24 hours, the absolute reduction in the rate of hypocalcemia was 24%, and at 3 days, it was 4.2%.

• The rate of symptomatic hypocalcemia in the dexamethasone group was 19% lower than in the placebo group.

• The rate of voice dysfunction in the dexamethasone group was 25% lower than in the placebo group.