Falch C, et al. - Given that hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy is the most frequent complication resulting in prolongation of hospitalisation, researchers sought for clinical risk factors predictive for hypocalcemia and its long term persistence after total thyroidectomy. Findings suggested a correlation of prolonged surgery time with initial postoperative hypocalcemia. This correlation was noted irrespective of the underlying disease and surgical expertise but it did not affect the persistence of hypocalcemia. A high rate of persistent hypocalcemia was observed in association with initial symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.