BACKGROUND: This study analyzes the occurrence of local postoperative complications (hematoma, seroma and wound infection) and length of hospital stay in patients submitted to thyroidectomy with or without drains. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety eight patients who underwent thyroidectomy were classified into three groups: group not drained; group with Penrose drain; and group with suction drain (Hemovac). Each group was composed by 166 patients. RESULTS: The overall postoperative complication rate was of 7.4% (37/498). The time of hospitalization varied from 1 to 5 days (median, 1 day), with 85.6% of the patients in the group not drained staying one day. The same occured in 51.8% of the patients of the group drained with Hemovac and in only 26.9% of the patients of the group drained with Penrose. The hospital stay was significantly shorter in the nondrained group compared with the other groups (p=0.0001). Postoperative hematoma was found in 7 patients (1.4%). Other local complications as seroma and wound infection occurred in 4.4% and 1.8% of the patients, respectively. No significant correlations were observed between these complications and the use or not of drains. CONCLUSION: The routine use of drains seems to be unnecessary in patients submitted to thyroidectomy. However, the use of meticulous dissection and transoperative hemostasis are important measures to reduce the risk of postoperative complications as hematoma and seroma.
Thyroid; Thyroidectomy; Postoperative complications; Drain
