NEAR TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY;

ROLE OF DRAIN

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of surgical drains in near total thyroidectomy.
Study Design: It was a Randomized clinical trial conducted at department of surgery, DHQ
teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan from Jun 2012 to May 2013. Patients and Methods: Patients
were randomized into two groups by lottery method. Group A were those in which drains were
placed and Group B patient were operated and no drains were placed. Inclusion criteria included
all patients presenting for near total thyroidectomy for benign diseases. Those with massive
goiters or nodules larger than 6 cm were excluded. 40patients were enrolled in the study.
Complications, length of hospital stay, and overall cost were evaluated. Results: In the Group B
(no drain group), there was 03 days mean hospital stay with no increase in postoperative
complications like swelling. While Group A (drain group) mean hospital stay was 06 days.
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.