Post Operative Drains following Thyroid Surgeries

Abstract

Background:  Drains were routinely used in thyroidectomies, for fear of hematomas in immediate post operative period. This is a retrospective, comparative clinical trial, conducted to evaluate the efficacy of routine use of drains after thyroidectomies. Methods:  In this randomized prospective study, a total of 100 patients who underwent thyroid surgeries irrespective of diagnosis, were randomly grouped in to Drained (group1) and non drained (group11) from June 2013 to August 2015 in our institution. Outcomes including operating time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, complications, necessity for re-operation and satisfaction of patients were all assessed.  Results:  Both groups were homogenized in all aspects .There was no significant reduction in the operating time. The postoperative pain/discomfort was found to be significantly low assessed by visual analogue scale. Four cases of seroma were seen which were treated conservatively. No patient needed re-operation for any complication. The mean hospital stay was shorter and the satisfaction of patients was significant. (P=0.112).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that postoperative complications cannot be significantly prevented by routine use of drains. Furthermore, the use of drains may increase postoperative pain subsequently analgesic requirement, surgical site infection and prolong the hospital stay. In light of these findings, the routine use of drains may be deemed not routinely necessary following thyroid surgeries except in certain justified conditions.