European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jan 2017
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyComparison of drain versus no-drain thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis.
Despite minimal evidence, thyroid drains are routinely used as a precaution against hematoma in thyroidectomy. We undertook the present meta-analysis to evaluate the patient outcomes associated with post-surgical drainage, and whether it offers any advantage over no drainage in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Randomized and two-arm studies comparing the efficacy of total or partial thyroidectomy with or without post-surgery drainage, in patients undergoing thyroid surgery were included. ⋯ No statistically significant differences between the groups were found for hematoma, hemorrhage, hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and seroma. In conclusion, the current practice of post-surgical drainage in thyroidectomy did not offer any significant advantage. On the contrary, post-surgical infection rate and duration of hospital stay was higher in patients in the drain group.