title: Long-term cosmetic results after minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been performed in the authors' department since 2004. Many authors have described some of its advantages over conventional surgery in terms of cosmetic results. The published literature on this topic variously describes the average central incision as 1 to 3 cm. The end point of the cosmetic results (e.g. the question of keloids) cannot be documented during the inpatient stay. This report describes the long-term cosmetic results for this method and analyzes the subjective and objective outcomes after MIVAT.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2004 until March 2010, 116 patients underwent MIVAT in the authors' department. The authors included 96 patients in their subsequent examination, with a follow-up period of 22.4 months (range, 1-64 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurable cervical scar length was 1.9 cm (range, 1-3 cm). The measurable wideness of the cervical scar was 0.17 cm (range, 0.05-1.5 cm). Keloids in 10 female patients (10.4%) had diverse proliferation. Of the 116 patients, 93 (96.8%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the cosmetic result. The Patient Scar Assessment Scale score was 9.7, and of the Observer Scar Assessment Scale score was 8.1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In terms of long-term results, MIVAT appears to provide excellent cosmetic outcomes. The problem with the development of keloids in the region of the cervical incision, especially in female patients, remains unresolved. The satisfaction of patients with the long-term outcome of MIVAT is high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, DRK Kliniken Berlin Köpenick, Berlin, Germany. m.sahm@drk-kliniken-berlin.de
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahm
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Sybille
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pross
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lippert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery