Drainless Thyroidectomy by the Sutureless Technique for Benign Thyroid Diseases

Thyroidectomy for benign thyroid diseases is commonly performed with routine placement of surgical drains to prevent postoperative hematoma or seroma. However, drain use may be associated with increased pain, infection risk, prolonged hospital stay, and patient discomfort. Advances in surgical techniques, particularly the use of sutureless energy-based hemostatic devices, have raised the possibility of safely omitting routine drain placement in selected patients.

This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to assess the safety and feasibility of drainless thyroid surgery in patients with benign thyroid diseases. Eligible patients undergoing thyroidectomy are randomly allocated into two groups: a drainless group, in which no postoperative drain is inserted, and a control group, in which a conventional closed suction drain is placed.

All surgeries are performed using a standardized sutureless technique for hemostasis. Patients are followed postoperatively to evaluate surgical and clinical outcomes, including postoperative bleeding or hematoma, seroma formation, wound complications, hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and need for reintervention or readmission.

The results of this study are expected to clarify whether drainless thyroid surgery using a sutureless technique is a safe and feasible alternative to conventional drain placement in benign thyroid surgery and may help optimize postoperative care and patient comfort