Key result
Selective use or early removal of drains in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy for small solitary nodules (<25 cm3) using a harmonic scalpel may facilitate same-day discharge.
Why the study?
Does selective use of drains or early removal facilitate same-day discharge in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy for small solitary nodules?
Does selective use of drains or early removal facilitate same-day discharge in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy for small solitary nodules?
The use of a harmonic scalpel in hemithyroidectomy for small nodules may allow for selective drain use and facilitate same-day discharge.
May support drain minimization in select thyroidectomy cases; hypothesis-generating and requires randomized confirmation before practice change.
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.
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HOPKINS et al. (2006) studied Small solitary thyroid nodules. Selective use or early removal of drains was evaluated. Selective use or early removal of drains in patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy for small solitary nodules (<25 cm3) using a harmonic scalpel may facilitate same-day discharge.
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