Drainless thyroid surgeries including goiter or central neck dissection: a case-control study

Background: Despite ample of evidence regarding feasibility of simple drainless thyroid surgeries, the evidence of feasibility of such procedures in goiters and central neck dissections remains limited. Methods: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (TT) between January 2017 and July 2022 were included. The study included two study groups: drainless TT with central neck dissection (CND) and drainless TT due to goiter, which were compared to two controls: non-goiter drainless TT and drained TT for goiter or with CND. Main outcome was post-operative seroma rate. Results: 156 patients met the inclusion criteria for each of the group. No significant differences between groups were found for permanent hypocalcemia, and other complications. Post-operative seroma was found in nine patients (5.8%), all from study groups. No significant differences between groups were found for local infections, aspirations, post-discharge drain insertion. Conclusions: Complex drainless thyroid surgeries, including goiter and CND, are feasible and do not seem to significantly increase rate of post-operative seromas or infections.