Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
07:45
"Sun's Seven-Step Technique" for Endoscopic En-Bloc Resection of Thyroid Cancer via the Chest-Breast Approach
Published on: November 28, 2025
743
[A prospective randomized and controlled study on no drainage after surgery for benign thyroid disorders]
Jun Qian1, Chang Diao, Yan-jun Su
1Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Thyroid Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China.
Summary
Routine surgical drainage is not necessary after thyroidectomy for benign conditions. Omitting drains improves patient comfort and reduces hospital stays without increasing complications, making it a safe and effective practice.
Area of Science:
- Endocrine Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- General Surgery
Background:
- Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure for benign thyroid disorders.
- The necessity of surgical drainage after thyroidectomy remains a topic of debate.
- Current practices vary regarding the routine use of drains post-thyroidectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the necessity of surgical drainage following thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders.
- To compare postoperative outcomes between patients with and without surgical drains.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 272 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for benign disorders.
- Patients were allocated to either a drainage or non-drainage group.
- Outcomes assessed included operating time, hospital stay, neck comfort (Visual Analogue Scale), and complication rates (bleeding, hematoma, seroma, infection, hoarseness, hypoparathyroidism).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in operating time or major postoperative complications (hoarseness, hypoparathyroidism) between groups.
- The non-drainage group experienced significantly shorter hospital stays and improved neck comfort on postoperative days 0 and 1.
- No increase in wound infections or other complications was observed in the non-drainage group.
Conclusions:
- Routine surgical drainage is not necessary after thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disorders.
- Eliminating drains enhances postoperative patient comfort and reduces hospital stay duration.
- This approach does not elevate the risk of postoperative complications, including wound infections.
