title: Comparison of drain versus no drain thyroidectomy: randomized prospective clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of surgical drains in thyroid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, prospective, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized into drain and no drain groups by a blinded observer. Inclusion criteria included all patients presenting for total, hemi-, or completion thyroidectomies. Those with massive goitres or nodules greater than 6 cm were excluded. Fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Complications, length of hospital stay, and overall cost were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the no drain group, there was a 1.12-day reduction in hospital stay (p < .01), with no increase in postoperative complications. This translated into a cost savings of $2177 per patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thyroid surgery without the use of a drain decreases the length of hospital stay, with no increase in patient morbidity. The overall cost is significantly reduced.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Warren K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yunker
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mechor
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seikaly
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*