Thyroid Uncomplicated Surgery with Lack Placement of Drains. A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Thyroid drains after thyroid surgery are often used despite evidence. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the post-operative complication rates following thyroid uncomplicate surgery without drain. Material and methods: The medical records of two hundred and thirty-nine patients who undergone thyroid surgery without and with drain were reviewed. The rate of post-operative either complications and pain were evaluated. Results: The distribution of the operations performed were similar in two groups, in no-drain group (group A) there were total thyroidectomy 68.7% and lobectomy 31.3% while in drain group (group B) the total thyroidectomy were 70.8% and the lobectomy were 29.2%, this without statistical significant difference. Postoperative complications that occurred included seromas, hematoma and wound infections were without significantly differences. Postoperative pain was significantly lower in group A than in group B at two timepoint. The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the non-drained group. Conclusions: The no-drain uncomplicated thyroid surgery was safe and didn’t increase a rates of post-operative complications. In addition, we achieved significant reduction of postoperative pain, hospital stay and overall costs.