HIGHLIGHTS
The lateral supraclavicular incision in unilateral thyroid carcinoma surgery provides satisfactory cosmetic outcomes.
The lateral supraclavicular incision is a safe and practical approach for thyroidectomy.
Abstract
Introduction
The standard approach to thyroidectomy is a collar incision via the anterior neck, and the neck scar has always been a source of worry for patients. Acceptable wound cosmetology has become a focus for thyroid surgeons.
Objective
To verify the effectiveness and cosmetic results of thyroidectomy through a lateral supraclavicular incision.
Methods
180 patients were randomly divided into two groups: a lateral supraclavicular approach and a conventional transcervical approach. The main outcomes included incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospitalization expense, early postoperative pain measured by visual analog scale, infection, and perceived cosmetic outcome.
Results
There were no statistical significances between the two groups in terms of age, gender, nodule size, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospital expense and postoperative complications, whereas there were significant differences in terms of incision length (5.2 ± 1.04 cm vs. 6.9 ± 1.14 cm, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The lateral supraclavicular incision is a safe and feasible approach for thyroidectomy. Compared with conventional approach, it provides a better cosmetic result.
Keywords
Thyroidectomy; Surgical incision; Cosmetology