Drain placement after thyroid surgery: the bra-strap line

Abstract

In cases of thyroid surgery that require a drain post-operatively, the authors suggest the subcutaneous tunnelling of the drain to exit in the bra-strap line. This simple but effective technique hides the potentially unsightly resultant scars that may be of concern to women wearing clothes that expose the upper chest and lower neck. The bra-strap line can be easily found in the patient and the authors have found no additional complications with exiting the drain at this site.