Assessing cosmetic results after conventional thyroidectomy using the EASY-EYE_C: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PurposeThe incidence of thyroid cancer is relatively high, especially in young women, and postoperative scarring after thyroidectomy is an important problem for both patients and clinicians. Currently, there is no available product that can be used for wound protection during thyroid surgery. We used the EASY-EYE_C, a new silicone-based wound protector.Methods We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of the EASY-EYE_C with surgical scars. We studied 66 patients who underwent conventional total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy performed by a single surgeon from August 2015 to June 2016. At 6-week follow-up, a single blinded physician observed the wounds to make clinical assessments using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and a modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES).ResultsThere were no significant differences by sex, age, type of surgery, body mass index, length of wound, incision site (from sternal notch), or thyroid weight, but the duration of operation was significantly shorter in the experimental group (E group). The e-group also had better POSAS scores than the control group (C group), with means of 43.2 (standard deviation [SD], ±15.9) versus 68.3 (SD, ±21.5), respectively (P < 0.05). The modified SBSES and VSS scores were similar to those from the POSAS.ConclusionIn this study, all scores for evaluating outcomes were higher in the E group than in the C group. In addition, the operation time was significantly shorter in the E group. Therefore, the EASY-EYE_C may be useful for improving the cosmetic outcomes of conventional thyroid surgery.

Comparison of Two Entry Methods and Their Cosmetic Outcomes in Creating Pneumoperitoneum: A Prospective Observational Study

“…1A-D). 15,23 Such difference in extent of scar and the cosmetic outcomes between both the procedures was also observed to be highly dependent on multiple other factors such as (a) type of incision and (b) the preferred entry route (infraumbilical or supraumbilical or transumbilical). Where in our study group, almost all the HT patients underwent transumbilical incision and VNT patients-supraumbilical or infraumbilical incision.…”

“…[15][16][17]22 The VSS scoring from these factors was ranged between 0 and 13 points and based on the final score, the subjective scar assessment was done. 15,23…”

Single plus one-port robotic surgery using the da Vinci Single-Site Platform versus conventional multi-port laparoscopic surgery for left-sided colon cancer

“…However, post-surgery cancer patients have had to live with the consequences of this disease and of surgery, such as bowel function problems, postoperative scar, and related psychological distress [22,23]. Cosmetic outcomes have been broadly investigated in patients after operations, such as thyroidectomy, hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, and laparoscopic bowel resection for non-malignant diseases [10][11][12]24]. However, limited data are available regarding the subjective cosmetic consequences of scarring in patients with colorectal cancer.…”

“…Functional results, as well as quality of life and cosmesis, are now considered important surgical outcome measures. Body image -a person's perception of, satisfaction with, and attitude towards his or her own body -has been broadly investigated in patients undergoing thyroidectomy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and bowel resection [10][11][12][13][14]. However, limited data are available on the cosmetic consequences of scarring in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic surgery with different port accesses for colorectal cancer.…”

Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A for postoperative scar prevention and wound healing improvement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Correspondingly, scar elevation was qualitatively rated (no elevation, elevation present, or prominent elevation) in SBSES or mSBSES, scales intentionally developed for short‐ and long‐term evaluation of post‐surgical scars 46 . SBSES was already widely adopted for surgical incisions of thyroidectomy 41,42,70–72 and torso operations, 44,73 displaying some strengths on assessing large and linear surgical wounds. It has an advantage of using digital photographic images, and the interrater reliability demonstrated good agreement, ranging from 0.73 to 0.85 46 .…”