Objective: To evaluate the use of surgical drains in thyroid surgery.
Design: Randomized, prospective, clinical trial.
Methods: Patients were randomized into drain and no drain groups by a blinded observer. Inclusion criteria included all patients presenting for total, hemi-, or completion thyroidectomies. Those with massive goitres or nodules greater than 6 cm were excluded. Fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Complications, length of hospital stay, and overall cost were evaluated.
Results: In the no drain group, there was a 1.12-day reduction in hospital stay (p < .01), with no increase in postoperative complications. This translated into a cost savings of $2177 per patient.
Conclusions: Thyroid surgery without the use of a drain decreases the length of hospital stay, with no increase in patient morbidity. The overall cost is significantly reduced.