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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jonathan Hanson, George Proud
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Background: Many authorities advocate draining the neck routinely after thyroid and parathyroid surgery with no scientific evidence to support this practice. We aimed to establish if the routine use of drains following thyroid/parathyroid surgery is of any value. Method: Medical records of patients who underwent thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy under the care of a single endocrine surgeon (GP) over a 14-year period were reviewed. For the first 6 years, the neck was routinely drained (drain group) and for the subsequent 8 years the neck was only drained if the surgeon felt it necessary according to the operative situation (selective group). Results: A total of 606 procedures (425 thyroidectomy and 181 parathyroidectomy) were performed on 582 patients. Drains were routinely used in 134 (22%) procedures (drain group) and were selectively used in 472 (78%) (selective group) of which 191 (40%)were drained. In all patients, there was a significant increase in the rate of postoperative bleeding/haematoma in patients with a drain (8/314 versus 1/282, Fisher's exact, P < 0.05). Wound infection occurred only in the patients with a drain. There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative bleeding and airways obstruction between the drain and selective groups. Conclusion: We conclude that the routine use of neck drains is unnecessary and may indeed be harmful, drain insertion being associated with an increased incidence of wound infection. Drains should, therefore, be used selectively after thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.
Author(s): Tabaqchali MA, Hanson JM, Proud G
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Year: 1999
Volume: 81
Issue: 5
Pages: 302-305
Print publication date: 01/09/1999
ISSN (print): 0035-8843
ISSN (electronic): 1478-7083
Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503282/?tool=pubmed
PubMed id: 10645171
