Cosmetic Complications

Minimally invasive thyroid surgery is rapidly becoming a common approach in busy endocrine surgery practices. The surgical concepts necessarily include a number of principles found within the realm of plastic surgery. Topics reviewed include choosing the appropriate location for the incision, resecting traumatized skin edges to decrease likelihood of hypertrophic scarring, avoidance of drains and use of cyanoacrylate skin adhesives for wound closure. Achieving an optimal cosmetic result when performing thyroid surgery is easiest when one applies these principles.