ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of timing of removal of drainage tube on complications after radical thyroidectomy by da Vinci robot.MethodsThree hundred and fifteen patients with thyroid cancer treated by da Vinci robot from July 2014 to December 2018 in our department were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the amount of drainage fluid at extubation: observation group (99 cases) and control group (216 cases). The extubation indication: in the observation group, the drainage volume was less than 20 mL for 24 hours in two days; in the control group, according to most clinical concepts, the drainage volume was less than 10 mL for 24 hours in two days. The infection rate of wound and tunnel, the incidence of hematoma, wound healing, the time of drainage tube removal and the time of hospitalization were observed.ResultsThere were no significant difference in infection rate, hematoma incidence and wound healing rate between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). The postoperative extubation time and hospitalization time in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionsAfter the radical operation of thyroid cancer by Leonardo da Vinci robot, taking the amount of wound drainage fluid less than 20 mL/24 hours for 2 days as the time of extubation does not increase the incidence of complications, but it can significantly shorten the time of extubation and hospitalization of patients, which can be widely used in clinical practice.