Hormonal aspects of suction drainage after thyroidectomy
Young, H.B.; Twiss, D.H.; Evans, M.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 149(3): 343-345
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 472993 Document Number: 151478
Suction drainage, after thyroidectomy, for a variety of conditions, varied between 0-92.5 ml. The levels of thyroxine [T4] in this fluid were greater than those in the serum, at the same time being an average of 14.0 .mu.g/100 ml. The loss of T4 for 24 h could represent up to 11.6% of the total serum T4 pool. The serum T4 level, after initial fluctuation in either direction settled down, or up, to an average euthyroid level of 6.09 .mu.g/100 ml by the 21st day after operation. Possible factors influencing these changes were considered and discussed. Such changes did not outweigh the advantages most surgeons found in drainage but could be eliminated if the ideal of no drainage could be attained. There was no evidence of exfoliated acinar cells in the drainage fluid.