Did scarless thyroidectomy meet expectations? An evaluation in the aspect of cosmesis: A single-centre prospective study.

Objective: Thyroidectomy is among the most commonly performed endocrine surgeries. Concerns regarding cosmetic outcomes and pain management have led to various surgical innovations. This study compares post-operative patient satisfaction based on cosmesis and expectations between open thyroidectomy (conventional open thyroidectomy [COT]) and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA).

Patients and methods: Female patients aged 18-65 years who underwent thyroidectomy for benign conditions were included. Patients were divided into two groups: COT and TOETVA, with 20 patients in each. Post-operative evaluations were conducted on days 15 and 30 using the Vancouver Scar Scale, the modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale and general/visual satisfaction questionnaires.

Results: Participants rated their surgeries on a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent) on days 15 and 30. No significant difference in visual scores was observed between groups. However, overall satisfaction scores were higher in the COT group on day 15 (3.5 ± 0.5 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9, P = 0.004) and day 30 (3.7 ± 0.5 vs. 3.1 ± 0.8, P = 0.021). Satisfaction scores and incision site oedema showed no significant differences between groups, but hyperaemia was significantly lower in the TOETVA group on day 30. Scar length was also significantly shorter in the TOETVA group.

Conclusion: Higher satisfaction in the COT group may result from post-operative pain and transient chin numbness in the TOETVA group, alongside short follow-up period. Longer-term studies could better evaluate these differences. The lack of a significant difference in satisfaction suggests that patients' expectations-shaped by the surgical approach they independently choose-may significantly influence their overall satisfaction. While satisfaction scores were similar, TOETVA provides a notable cosmetic advantage due to hidden incisions, making it particularly appealing for patients with aesthetic concerns. This technique represents a significant advancement in achieving patient-centred outcomes.