Following a Total Thyroidectomy for Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland $4 \mathrm{mg} / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$

Following a total thyroidectomy for carcinoma of the thyroid gland, a 55-year-old man noticed tingling and numbness of the fingers, toes, and lips. Painful cramps of the hands and feet were also experienced. Strong muscle spasms producing adduction of the thumb, flexion of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints, and plantar flexion of the feet also occurred. Laboratory examination of the blood revealed a blood calcium level of $4 \mathrm{mg} / 100 \mathrm{~mL}$ . Which organ was damaged during the total thyroidectomy?