title: Hormonal aspects of suction drainage after thyroidectomy.
abstract: Suction drainage, after thyroidectomy, for a variety of conditions, varied between zero and 92.5 milliliters. The levels of thyroxine in this fluid were greater than those in the serum, at the same time being an average of 14.0 micrograms per 100 milliliters. The loss of thyroxine for 24 hours could represent up to 11.6 per cent of the total serum thyroxine pool. The serum thyroxine level, after initial fluctuation in either direction settled down, or up, to an average euthyroid level of 6.09 micrograms per 100 milliliters by the 21st day after operation. Possible factors influencing these changes have been considered and discussed. Such changes did not outweigh the advantages most surgeons found in drainage but could be eliminated if the ideal of no drainage could be attained. There was no evidence of exfoliated acinar cells in the drainage fluid.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000378:metabolism; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013396:Suction; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine