LONG-TERM SCAR SATISFACTION OF THYROIDECTOMY PATIENTS WITH CLASSICAL MID-CERVICAL INCISION

ABSTRACT Objective:Thyroidectomy is 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. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the scar length, type of surgery, obesity and patient satisfaction and scar appearance. Design: A total of seventy seven (77) patients were included in the study. Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was used for measuring the satisfaction. Results: The mean overall satisfaction score was 1,6 (1: normal 10: worst) and the vast majority of the patients (74/77, 96.1%) were satisfied with their surgical scars. Significantly higher OSAS scores were observed in patients who have secondary (completion of contralateral lobectomy) surgery and radioactive iodine treatment (p<0,001 p=0,034 respectively). There was not significantly different OSAS scores in patients according to sex, body mass index (BMI) and incision length. Conclusion: The classical mid-cervical incision has positive long-term satisfactory results. Patients required early secondary (completion) thyroidectomy should be informed about the possible unsatisfactory results and surgeon should pay more attention and act as careful as possible for skin closure