Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery without drains.

D S Ruark1, R Z Abdel-Misih

  • 1Department of Surgery, Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington.

Head & Neck
|July 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Detection of circulating epithelial cells after surgery for benign breast disease.

Molecular diagnosis : a journal devoted to the understanding of human disease through the clinical application of molecular biology·2000
Same author

An overview of thyroid carcinoma.

Delaware medical journal·1997
Same author

Pathophysiological effects of laparoscopy: current knowledge.

Delaware medical journal·1997
Same author

Paired temporary loop ileostomies in the localization of small bowel hemorrhage of obscure origin.

The American surgeon·1995
Same author

Head and neck reconstruction using the platysma myocutaneous flap.

American journal of surgery·1993
Same author

Chondrosarcomas of the head and neck.

World journal of surgery·1992
Same journal

The Chimeric Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap for Reconstruction After Buccal Cancer Resection: A Retrospective Case Series.

Head & neck·2026
Same journal

Interpreting the Reported Benefits of Virtual Surgical Planning in Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis Reconstruction.

Head & neck·2026
Same journal

Measurement Tools for Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Head & neck·2026
Same journal

Preoperative Predictors of Close or Compromised Surgical Margins in Patients With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Head & neck·2026
Same journal

Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy Reduces Major Wound Complications in Oral Cancer Surgery.

Head & neck·2026
Same journal

Botulinum Toxin for First Bite Syndrome: A Symptom-Guided "Follow-The-Pain" Injection Strategy.

Head & neck·2026
See all related articles

Routine wound drainage after thyroid and parathyroid surgery is unnecessary. A study of 139 undrained procedures found a low complication rate, suggesting drains are not required for these neck surgeries.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrine Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Surgical Outcomes

Background:

  • The necessity of routine wound drainage following thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy is debated.
  • Existing literature lacks definitive studies supporting routine drainage in these procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing thyroid and parathyroid surgery without routine wound drainage.
  • To determine the complication rate associated with undrained neck incisions in endocrine surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 139 consecutive thyroid or parathyroid procedures performed without surgical drains.
  • Analysis of postoperative complications including hematomas, infections, and rebleeding.
  • Categorization of thyroidectomy types and histologic findings (benign vs. carcinoma).

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • No wound hematomas, infections, or reoperations were required in the 139 undrained procedures.
  • A low overall complication rate of 3.6% was observed, with five patients developing minor, asymptomatic wound seromas.
  • Seromas were successfully managed with aspiration post-discharge, showing no recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • Routine prophylactic wound drainage is not necessary for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.
  • Undrained neck incisions in these endocrine surgeries are associated with a minimal complication rate.
  • This approach may simplify surgical practice and reduce resource utilization without compromising patient safety.