Can we use ionized calcium in the evaluation of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia?
The values of ionized calcium must not be used as marker of hypocalcemia but must be seen as a diagnostic aid linked to others laboratory values, such as serum calcium.
The incidence of microscope cover perforation was very low and was not shown to be associated with bacterial contamination. External sources of bacterial contamination seem to outweigh the problem of contamination due to failure of cover integrity.