Successful Treatment of Postparathyroidectomy Hypocalcemia Using Continuous Ambulatory Intraperitoneal Calcium (CAIC) Therapy

Severe, recalcitrant hypocalcemia and hungry bone syndrome can complicate parathyroidectomy in end-stage renal disease patients. Treatment with prolonged and massive doses of intravenous calcium, with calcitriol supplementation, is often necessary, but potentially dangerous and may prolong hospitalization. Three CAPD patients (including 1 with malabsorption) were safely treated by adding 1 to 3 ampules (10-30 mL) of 10% calcium gluconate solution to each bag of dialysate for up to 29 months. Continuous ambulatory intraperitoneal calcium (CAIC) therapy was initiated postoperatively and continued on an outpatient basis until the patients' hungry bone syndrome resolved and serum calcium normalized. Complications such as visible dialysate precipitation or an increased rate of peritonitis were not observed. Mean total calcium uptake was approximately 137 to 226 mg/exchange. We conclude that CAIC therapy is a safe, effective treatment both for CAPD patients with postparathyroidectomy hypocalcemia with hungry bone syndrome, as well as in patients with hypocalcemia secondary to malabsorption.