Drain-free neck dissection: the use of Artiss fibrin sealant.

To study the safety and efficacy of Artiss fibrin sealant in lateral neck dissection, focusing on drain retention time, length of hospital stay and post-operative complications. A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent neck dissection in a UK hospital over a 12-month period. Twenty-three patients were identified; 13 patients had Artiss and a drain, 10 patients had Artiss only. All drains were removed by post-operative day 2. No post-operative fluid collections or complications were recorded. Patients who had Artiss only without a drain were discharged on post-operative day 1. The use of Artiss reduced the drain retention time and hospital stay, with no post-operative complications. Neck dissection can be safely undertaken with no drain, and can potentially be carried out as a day-case procedure, with the application of Artiss. These findings benefit patients and the National Health Service by improving the patient journey and reducing overall costs.