In-Depth Survey of Scarring and Distress in Patients Undergoing Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy or Conventional Open Thyroidectomy

Abstract

PURPOSE: Oncologic and surgical outcomes of bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic thyroidectomy (RoT) are comparable with those of open thyroidectomy (OT). We compared degree of scarring and psychological/physical distress between OT and BABA RoT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study included 129 cases of thyroidectomy (78 OT, 51 BABA RoT). Patients were evaluated by psychology consultant using 5-point scale questionnaire. RESULTS: BABA RoT was associated with lower degree of scarring than OT (7.8 vs. 11.7, P<0.001). Psychological distress immediately after operation and during surveillance period was higher in OT than in BABA RoT (3.1 vs. 2.6, P=0.009 and 2.4 vs. 1.9, P<0.001). Physical distress (pain and exercise limitation) did not differ between groups (2.5 vs. 2.6, P=0.321 and 2.0 vs. 1.9, P=0.0175). CONCLUSIONS: BABA RoT was associated with less scarring and psychological distress than OT. BABA RoT might be alternative for patients who are concerned about neck scar.