甲狀腺及內分泌外科中心

Most patients with thyroid tumor who need surgery are often concerned with how to avoid the "centipede scar". In recent years, the medical sector has been applying minimally invasive surgery in thyroid operations. While this can reduce the surgical wound area, minimally invasive surgery carry more restrictions and is not suitable for all patients. But does that mean that the patients have to accept a getting a large scar on their necks? Not necessarily.

Compared to traditional thyroid surgery, patients can now choose “minimally access thyroid surgery”. As the name suggests, the thyroid tumor is removed through smaller wound. The length of the surgical wound can be vastly reduced to around 2 - 3 cm, compared to 6 to 8 cm from traditional procedures.

Like traditional operations, mini-incision surgery is also carried out in the neck area. Yet as the surgery is less traumatic or invasive, this helps to shorten the patient’s recovery time. The wound is also less visible and less noticeable than the conventional scar.

Surgical wound from mini-incision thyroidectomy is just about 3 cm long Satisfactory healing after mini-incision thyroid surgery	Mini-incision thyroid surgery is applicable on various thyroid problems such as:
	1.	Hyperthyroidism
	2.	Thyroid tumors with areas of 4 to 5 cm or above, and
	3.	Some tumors, like malignant tumors that are not recommended with “endoscopic thyroid surgery”

	Patients can check out of hospitals a day after the surgery and need only a waterproof bandage to protect the surgical wound. Compared to traditional operations, the advantages of minimally invasion thyroid tumor resection include:
	1.	The size of the wound can be reduced to around 3 cm and is less obvious
	2.	The surgery is less painful, post-surgery recovery time is reduced
	3.	Patients are able to eat and drink a short time after the surgery and speech is unaffected

		Please note that micro-incision thyroidectomy requires accuracy, precision and demands extremely high surgical skills from doctors. Patients should choose an experienced surgeon.