[Long-term cosmetic results following thyroid resection].
BACKGROUND
The long-term cosmetic results following thyroid resection may soon become more relevant because minimally invasive techniques are also being promoted.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-four patients were prospectively enrolled for a questionnaire regarding long-term results following thyroid resection. Ninety of these patients were clinically examined.


RESULTS
The cosmetic results were judged by more than 90% of the patients as excellent or good. Women were slightly more critical about their results (P=0.06). Some kind of wound infection was reported in 4.1%, hypertrophic scar in 4.1%, and mild dysphagia in 7%. The results were not associated with the kind or extent of resection. The length of the scars was 4 cm (range 3-7) and the width 2 mm (range 1-4). The surgeons also judged the scars as good or excellent in most cases but were more critical than the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the long-term results of conventional surgery are, in most cases, so good, it seems difficult to improve the results by new minimally invasive techniques.
Böhm
B
B
Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, HELIOS Klinikum Erfurt GmbH. bboehm@erfurt.helios-kliniken.de
Minner
S
S
Engelhardt
T
T
Rödiger
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors