The role of drainage and antibiotic prophylaxis in thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND: It is our habit to employ an open drainage after thyroid surgery in our department. We have also found a large number of surgical infections in these patients (5.8% vs 2.5). Aim of the study is to evaluate prospectively if contamination happens during surgical procedure or in a later time according to the presence of the open drainage. METHODS: From October 1995 to November 1996, 113 patients who underwent a subtotal thyroidectomy were randomized into two groups: group A with antibiotic prophylaxis (57 patients) and group B without it (56 patients). RESULTS: One case (1.7%) of sepsis among 57 patients of group A and 2 cases (3.4%) among 56 patients of group B were observed. CONCLUSIONS: No statistical difference was found between the two groups despite antibiotic prophylaxis covering surgical procedure. It is personal opinion that sepsis arose after surgical procedure, due to the presence of the open drainage.