How we do it: Dispensing with drains in hemithyroidectomy--a feasibility study

Keypoints * The NHS plan states that 75% of all elective surgery should be carried out as day cases, but reports confirm that we are falling well below such targets. * The use of the harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy in our department has facilitated faster surgery, minimal intra-operative haemorrhage, and reduced postoperative blood loss into the drain. * We propose that patients with small solitary nodules (<25 cm(3) on preoperative ultrasound) undergoing hemithyroidectomy for diagnostic purposes are candidates for selective use of drains, or where used, early removal of the drain and same day discharge.