Predictive factors for post-operative drainage after partial superficial parotidectomy: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify the pattern of post-operative drainage following partial superficial parotidectomy with and without the use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device.


METHODS
Of the 49 patients undergoing parotidectomies, a bipolar vessel-sealing device was used for 20. Predictive factors included in the analysis were age, sex, body weight, operating time, tumour pathology, and diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking status.


RESULTS
In multivariate analyses, body weight (p = 0.026) and non-use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with increased post-operative drainage after 24 hours. There was also a trend towards increased drainage in diabetic patients. Operating times were significantly shorter in the bipolar vessel-sealing device group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although 24-hour drainage appears adequate for most patients, in obese and diabetic individuals there is a risk of requiring increased drainage. Therefore, the drain should be left in place for a longer period. The bipolar vessel-sealing device is safe and time-efficient, and decreases the post-operative drainage period.
Department of Otolaryngology,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine.
W-C
WC
Chen
Department of Otolaryngology,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine.
H-C
HC
Chuang
Department of Otolaryngology,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine.
Y-Y
YY
Su
Department of Otolaryngology,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine.
C-Y
CY
Chien
D000235:Adenolymphoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D061646:Operative Time; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
Body Weight; Drainage; Parotid Neoplasms; Surgical Instruments