title: How we do it: Dispensing with drains in hemithyroidectomy--a feasibility study.
abstract: Keypoints * The NHS plan states that 75% of all elective surgery should be carried out as day cases, but reports confirm that we are falling well below such targets. * The use of the harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy in our department has facilitated faster surgery, minimal intra-operative haemorrhage, and reduced postoperative blood loss into the drain. * We propose that patients with small solitary nodules (<25 cm(3) on preoperative ultrasound) undergoing hemithyroidectomy for diagnostic purposes are candidates for selective use of drains, or where used, early removal of the drain and same day discharge.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mansuri
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Terry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome