Value of a single low vacuum drain in the postoperative care of bilateral thyroidectomy. Retrospective comparison with bilateral Redon drains.

Double "high vacuum drains" are usually recommended following bilateral thy roidectomy. A single "low vacuum drain" is an attractive alternative when t he surgeon considers drainage is necessary. This retrospective study was de signed to compare the postoperative outcome following the us of two types o f drains. The clinical features, biochemical profile and histopathology wer e comparable between the two groups: group 1 (high vacuun, n = 77), and gro up 2 (low vacuun, n = 71). The percentage of total thyroidectomies was sign ificantly higher in group 2 (51 % versus 34 %, p = 0.04) and this discrepan cy was adjusted in the statistical analysis. There was no statistical diffe rence in the outcome of group 1 versus group 2 in terms of mound infections (0 %; vs 0 %), haematoma (0 % versus 0.04 %), duration and volume of drain age (2.1 versus 2.0 days, 118 versus 117 mi), and hospital stay (3.2 versus 3.2 days). A single "low vacuum drain" is therefore a safe and simple alte rnative to provide adequate post operative drainage following bilateral thy roidectomy.