Long-Term Scar Satisfaction of Thyroidectomy Patients with Classical Mid-Cervical Incision

Abstract

Objective: Thyroidectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure for benign or malignant thyroid pathologies. Patients generally mention about their reservations about the shape of skin incision. In order to minimize the scar deformity, novel surgical procedures were described in the literature. Despite the cosmetic advantages of endoscopic techniques, conventional thyroidectomy is still valid. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the scar length, type of surgery, obesity, scar appearance, and patient satisfaction for thyroidectomy patients with classical mid-cervical incision. Methods: A total of 98 patients were included in the study. Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was used for measuring the satisfaction. Results: The mean overall satisfaction score was 1.77 (1: normal; 10: worst) and the vast majority of the patients (92/98, 93.9%) were satisfied with their surgical scars. Significantly higher Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores were observed in patients who have secondary (completion of contralateral lobectomy) surgery, malignant pathologies, and radioactive iodine treatment (P < .001; P= .009; P= .002, respectively). There were no significantly different Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores in patients according to sex, body mass index, and incision length. Conclusion: The classical mid-cervical incision has positive long-term satisfactory results. Patients requiring early secondary (completion) thyroidectomy should be informed about the possible unsatisfactory results, and the surgeon should pay more attention and act as carefully as possible for skin closure.