Long-term cosmetic results after minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

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.