Publication:

Hemithyroidectomy with or without use of drain a randomized prospective clinical study

Background The practice of using the drain in thyroid surgery including hemithyroidectomy is common to avoid complications like a hematoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity of routine drainage in hemithyroidectomy.

Methods In this randomized prospective clinical study conducted in tertiary care government training hospital,60 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy for various thyroid disorders were randomly allocated to either non-drainage (group A) or drainage (group B). The various complications including hematoma, seroma, wound infection, post-operative pain, the length of hospital stay was then compared.

Results Both groups were comparable according to age, gender, thyroid size and histopathological diagnosis. A total number of 60 patients evaluated among them 45 females (75%) and 15 males (25%) were there. No significant difference in complications was observed between two groups regarding hematoma, wound infection, but the length of hospital stay was significantly reduced in the non-drainage group compared to drainage group (p-0.004), along with the significant reduction in post-operative pain (p-0.001).

Conclusions In present study, author observed that there is a significant reduction in length of hospital stay and post-operative pain in non-drainage group compared to drainage group. So suction drainage should be done in selected patients rather than a routine procedure and it is safe without suction drain especially in hands of experienced surgeons.