Efficacy of fibrin sealant in thyroid surgery. Is drainage still necessary?

INTRODUCTION: The routinely use of drains in thyroid surgery is a traditional and well-defined method, even if there is no clear evidence of significant improvement in patients outcomes. Aim of our study is to define the feasibility, safety and cost- effectiveness of fibrin sealant in total thyroidectomy in order to overcome the use of drains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 262 patients (45 men and 217 women, mean age 54.7 yrs) undergone total thyroidectomy in University Hospital of Palermo (Italy), between July 2015 and October 2017. We randomized patients into group A (drain) and group B (no drain, fibrin sealant application). RESULTS: We registered statistical difference between the two groups in mean operative time, visual analogue scale of pain, post-operative stay, incidence of seromas and/or deep and superficial hematomas, re-operation and wound infection (reduced in the fibrin sealant group). No significant difference have been found in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative cough, post-operative use of analgesic and in incidence of hypoparathyroidism or recurrent palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that there is no evidence that the use of suction drains improves patients outcome and that routinely use of fibrin sealant can be advocated in thyroid surgery as an adjunct to a good surgical procedure.