What adds Valsalva maneuver to hemostasis after Trendelenburg's positioning during thyroid surgery?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bleeding after thyroidectomy is life-threatening. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether controlling of further bleeding with Valsalva maneuver following Trendelenburg's positioning has an impact on hemostasis. METHODS: This prospective study included 68 consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Study protocol consisted of performing manual intra-abdominal pressure increase and Valsalva maneuver to check hemostasis and treating any bleeding point identified, after Trendelenburg's positioning. All identified bleeding points and treatments were recorded. RESULTS: Total number of bleeding points identified in Trendelenburg's tilt was 49, while it was 41 when using Valsalva maneuver. Abdominal pressure increase, carried out before Valsalva maneuver, identified 14 bleeding points, which was less than bleeding after Trendelenburg's positioning and Valsalva maneuver (P<0.05). All bleeding points, except 1 for Trendelenburg's positioning and 1 for Valsalva maneuver, were minor (<2 mm). Only 4.4% bleeding vessels required ties or stitching. CONCLUSIONS: Valsalva maneuver helps to detect any further bleeding following Trendelenburg's positioning.