title: Effectiveness of an oxidized cellulose patch hemostatic agent in thyroid surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of an oxidized cellulose patch (Surgicel [Johnson and Johnson]) with conventional procedures for achieving hemostasis in thyroid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 190 patients scheduled for thyroidectomy. Patients were randomized into 1 conventionally treated (ligatures and bipolar electrocautery) group (n = 92) and a second group, which additionally received Surgicel (n = 98).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups were demographically and clinically matched and had similar wound drainage volumes and mean duration of surgery. Postoperative bleeding rate was greater in the Surgicel group, yet the difference didn't reach statistical significance (p = 0.054). There were no significant group differences in postoperative wound infection, seroma, hypocalcemia, or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Time to drain removal and length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the conventional group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine use of an oxidized cellulose hemostatic agent has no advantage over conventional hemostasis and is potentially harmful in thyroid surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Moran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Binenbaum
authors.forename: Jacob T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Ziv
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized; D006490:Hemostatics; C013695:Surgicel