Drainless parotidectomy using tissue fibrin sealant - A retrospective case-control study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Parotidectomy, a surgery to remove tumors from the parotid gland, traditionally involves drains.
• Post-operative seroma formation and prolonged hospital stays are common concerns after parotidectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of drainless parotidectomy utilizing fibrin sealant.
• To compare its impact on hospital stay, seroma development, and complications against traditional drain use.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted at an academic center.
• Patients undergoing drainless parotidectomy (cases) were compared to those with suction drains (controls).
• Outcomes included length of hospital stay, post-operative seroma rates, aspirations, and infection.

Main Results:

• The drainless (fibrin sealant) group experienced a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (1.0 vs. 1.5 days).
• No significant differences were observed in post-operative seroma rates (9.8% vs. 14.6%), aspirations (7.3% vs. 14.6%), or infection rates (0% vs. 3.7%).
• Higher rates of total parotidectomy were noted in the fibrin sealant group.

Conclusions:

• Drainless parotidectomy with fibrin sealant is a safe and effective alternative to traditional drain use.
• It leads to reduced hospital stays without compromising patient safety regarding seroma or infection.
• The technique is suitable for complex cases, including deep lobe tumors and revision surgeries.