Comparison of Post-operative Pain in Patients with Platysma Muscle Suture versus no Suture for Wound Closure after Thyroid Surgery

Objective: To assess the post-operative pain in patients with platysma muscle suture versus without platysma muscle suture used for wound closure after thyroidectomy.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Duration: January 2020 to March 2021.

Setting: Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.

Methods: A total number of 68 patients planned for primary thyroid surgery, aged 18-60 years of both genders were included in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups using draw randomization. In Group I: platysma muscle suture was used during wound closure after thyroidectomy. In Group II: No platysma suture was used during wound closure after thyroidectomy. Postoperative pain score was noted at 24 hours after thyroidectomy.

Results: Mean age of patients was 39.25±11.68 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) of patients was 24.48±3.60 kg/m2. Mean duration of surgery was 88.81±15.22 minutes. Mean postoperative pain score was 2.78±1.37. There were 39 (57.35%) females and 29 (42.65%) female patients. There were 18 (26.47%) patients having ASA I, 44 (64.71%) having ASA status II and 06 (8.82%) patients having ASA status III. There were 18 (26.47%) patients with hemi-thyroidectomy and 50 (73.53%) with total thyroidectomy. Post-operative pain score was 3.26±1.50 in with platysma muscle suture and 2.29±1.03 in without platysma suture (p-value 0.003).

Conclusion: As per current research, postoperatively, there was less discomfort related to the incision when the platysma muscle suture was not used. Further studies with a larger sample size is warranted.