Rafique Gooda, Zakiuddin G Oonwala, Saleem Khan.
Use of drainage after thyroid surgery: is it evidence based?
Pak J Surg Jul - Sep 2007;23(3):173-6.
Hamdard University Hospital, Patel Hospital, Kutiyana Memon Hospital, Masoomeen Hospital and KV SITE Social Security Hospital, Karachi

Objective. To assess whether a Surgical Drain is an absolute necessity after Thyroidectomy. Design & Duration: Prospective, comparative study from Feb. 2000 to Feb. 2005. Setting. Hamdard University Hospital, Patel Hospital, Kutiyana Memon Hospital, Masoomeen Hospital and K. V SITE Social Security Hospital in Karachi. Patients: A total of 150 patients who presented with a Goitre and underwent surgery. Methodology. Detailed data of the patients was recorded, and they were alternately assigned to two different groups viz. "Drain group " and "Non-Drain group ". Both groups underwent surgery. Results: Out of 150 patients, six (4%) from the Non-drain group developed serous collections which were aspirated, whereas nine (6%) patients from the Drain group developed complications. These included two (1.3%) cases with bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis, one (0.67%) with unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis, five (3.3%) with transient recurrent nerve palsy and one (0.67%) case with superior laryngeal nerve paralysis. Conclusion: Thyroidsurgery should beperformed by experienced thyroid surgeons. To minimize bleeding, designated steps be followed like staying in the subplatysmal plane, using coagulation diathermy, staying close to the thyroid, identification of the vessels with precise ligation. Meticulous haemostasis precludes drainage of the operative area and prevents complications.

Category: Surgery
Keywords: Goitre. Thyroidectomy. Thyroid Gland. Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

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