Efficacy of Drainless Total Thyroidectomy in Intrathyroidal Lesions of Thyroid

Abstract Introduction There is difference of opinion about the placement of the drain in thyroid surgeries, and, to the best of our knowledge, the efficacy of drainless total thyroidectomy regarding various parameters of thyroid lesions has not been well-established. Objective To report our experience with drainless total thyroidectomy, and to define an appropriate patient population for its performance. Methods This is a retrospective case analysis of the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for intrathyroidal lesions with or without central neck dissection in a tertiary referral hospital (number = 74). The patients, who had undergone total thyroidectomy without any drain insertion, were analyzed, and the relationships among various parameters of thyroid lesions were noted in relation to seroma and hematoma formation. Results Seroma formation was noted only in 5 out of 74 patents (6.75%). All of the seromas that occurred were observed in patients with thyroid lesions < 4 cm, and 4 out of 5 seromas were observed in patients with a malignant pathology. There was no statistically significant difference in seroma formation between patients younger or older than 50 years of age. The nature of the lesion, whether benign or malignant, did not affect the formation of seroma. Of interest is the fact that none of the 10 patients who had central neck dissection performed as part of their treatment developed seroma. Conclusions Drainless total thyroidectomy is safe across all age groups for patients harboring either benign or malignant thyroid pathologies. However, caution is to be observed in opting for drainless total thyroidectomy in patients with large lesions (> 5 cm)

Fibrin Glue Reduces the Duration of Lymphatic Drainage after Lumpectomy and Level II or III Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer: A Prospective Randomized Trial

This randomized prospective study investigated the effect of fibrin glue use on drainage duration and overall drain output after lumpectomy and axillary dissection in breast cancer patients. A total of 100 patients undergoing breast lumpectomy and axillary dissection were randomized to a fibrin glue group (N=50; glue sprayed onto the axillary dissection site) or a control group (N=50). Outcome measures were drainage duration, overall drain output, and incidence of seroma. Overall, the fibrin glue and control groups were similar in terms of drainage duration, overall drain output, and incidence of seroma. However, subgroup analysis showed that fibrin glue use resulted in a shorter drainage duration (3.5 vs. 4.7 days; p=0.0006) and overall drain output (196 vs. 278 mL; p=0.0255) in patients undergoing level II or III axillary dissection. Fibrin glue use reduced drainage duration and overall drain output in breast cancer patients undergoing a lumpectomy and level II or III axillary dissection.

Placa axilar compresiva fija para prevenir el seroma persistente postlinfadenectomía: comparación con controles históricos / Compressive axillary plates for persistent seroma after axillary lymphadenectomy

El seroma axilar persistente postlinfadenectomía es una complicación frecuente de la cirugía del cáncer mamario infiltrante, describiéndose diversas técnicas para su control. Para evaluar el beneficio adicional con el uso de placas axilares compresivas fijas se comparó una serie retrospectiva de 30 pacientes en que se usó este dispositivo con una serie histórica seleccionada aleatoriamente y manejada con un tratamiento estándar que consistió en el uso de drenajes aspirativos y compresión axilar con venda elástica. Los dos grupos resultaron homogéneos en las variables edad, estadio clínico y tipo de operación. La serie histórica tuvo una incidencia de seroma persistente de 26,67 por ciento (8/30), mientras que en el grupo con placa fue de un 6,67 por ciento (2/30), diferencia que fue estadísticamente significativa. Concomitantemente, el grupo con placa tuvo una duración del uso de los drenajes significativamente menor. No hubo diferencias en la duración del seroma ni en la aparición de complicaciones locales. No observamos ninguna relación entre la aparición de seroma y la utilización de alguna técnica quirúrgica en particular o de radioterapia preoperatoria.

Background: Persistent axillary post-lymphadenectomy seroma is a frequent complication of breast cancer treatment. Aim: To evaluate the benefit of fixed compressive axillary plates for this complication. Material and methods: Retrospective comparison of 30 patients in whom this technique was used with a randomized historic group of 30 women, handled with a standard technique that included suction drains and external axillary compressive elastic bandages. Results: Both groups had similar age, stage and operation type. Eight patients (27 percent) in the historic group and 2 (7 percent) in the axillary plate group had a persistent axillary seroma (p=0.04). Additionally, the plate group needed drains for a shorter period. There were no differences in the duration of seroma and the appearance of local complications. We did not observe any relationship between seroma appearance and the use of any particular operative technique or preoperative radiotherapy use. Conclusions: The use of fixed compressive axillary plates reduced the incidence of persistent seroma after axillary lymphadenectomy.