J Otolaryngol Head N
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J Otolaryngol Head N · Dec 2008
Review Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis: prophylactic drainage and bleeding complications in thyroid surgery.
To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and high-quality meta-analysis to determine whether prophylactic drain placement reduces adverse bleeding events in thyroid surgery. ⋯ The literature has insufficient evidence to recommend routine drainage in thyroid surgery. It is possible that drains may increase the risk of reoperation for bleeding, although the data are not statistically significant. If there is a benefit to drainage, absolute risk reductions of bleeding outcomes may not warrant routine use.