Same day thyroidectomy - abstract

ABSTRACT

Thyroidectomy, to date, remains a procedure accompanied by a morbid fear of haemorrhage. This is translate in clinical practice with the routine use of drains and hospitalization for observation post-operatively. Following our favourable experience of performing thyroidectomy without drainage, we embarked on a trial of "same day thyroidectomy", where the patient is discharged home on recovery from anaesthesia. During the 5-year study (1982-1992), 41 thyroidectomies were performed for non-toxic goitre. These comprised 12 unilateral total lobectomies, 7 unilateral subtotal lobectomies, 14 bilateral subtotal lobectomies and 5 isthmic excisions. No drains were used and patients were allowed to leave on recovery from anaesthesia (average 6 hours). There were no cases haemorrhages or deaths, no wound infections, no haematomas and no cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Same day thyroidectomy is a safe and cost-effective procedure for non-toxic thyroid goitre (AU)