A prospective randomized and controlled study on no drainage after surgery for benign thyroid disorders

Objective To evaluate the necessity of drainage after thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders. Methods A total of 272 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders were randomly divided into drainage group or non-drainage group. Operating time, postoperative stay time in hospital, comfort of neck assessed by visual analogue scale （VAS） on postoperative day （POD） 0 and POD1 were and the incidence of complications, including post-thyroidectomy bleeding, hematoma, seroma, wound infection, hoarseness, and hypoparathyroidism, were assessed and compared between two groups. Results Both groups were similar in the mean age, the sex ratio and the underwent procedure types. There was no significant difference in the mean operating time between two groups （87.5 ±32.0） rain and （93.8 ±30.1） min （t = 0.12, P = 0.45）. The mean postoperative hospital stay time of non-drainage group （1.9-± 0.3）d was significantly shorter than that of drainage group （2.6 ± 0.6）d （t = 1.45, P = 0.02）. The mean VAS scores of neck comfort on PODO and POD1 in non-drainage group were significantly high than those in non- drainage group （t = 2.67, P = 0.03 and t = 0.33, P = 0.006）. There were no significant difference in postoperative complications, including permanent hoarseness and hypoparathyroidism, between two groups. Conclusions No drainage after thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders does not increase postoperative complications, with the increase in postoperative neck comfort, the decrease in hospital stay time and potential wound infections. The routine drainage is not necessary after thyroid surgery for benign disorders. Key words: Thyroid diseases; Drainage; Postoperative complications; Randomized controlled trial