Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Comparison of drain versus no drain thyroidectomy: randomized prospective clinical trial
Andrew T Morrissey1, Jason Chau, Warren K Yunker
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
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.
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