Lena W Chen1, Niddal Assadi2, Lior Hefetz-Kirshenbaum2, Hanna Hong1, Christopher R Razavi1, Raymon H Grogan3, Ralph P Tufano1, Avi Khafif2, Jonathon O Russell1. 1. Division of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. 2. A.R.M. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck, Maxillofacial Clinics, Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Endocrine Surgery Program, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We investigated preferences between the transcervical and transoral thyroidectomy approach in the United States and Israel. METHODS: An online survey assessing scar attitudes and surgical preferences, in English and Hebrew, was distributed on ThyCa.com and other platforms. RESULTS: 928 and 339 responses from the United States and Israel cohorts, respectively, were analyzed. In both countries, individuals without prior thyroidectomy preferred a scarless approach when hypothetical risks equaled those of traditional thyroidectomy (77% United States, 76% Israel, p = 0.61). U.S. respondents without thyroidectomy had greater preference to avoid a scar and would pay more to do so than those with thyroidectomy (both p < 0.001). Many respondents with prior thyroidectomy still expressed interest in scarless alternatives (57% United States). CONCLUSIONS: Populations in Israel and the United States prefer scarless thyroidectomy when risks equal the traditional approach. While individuals without prior thyroidectomy are more likely to favor a scarless option, former thyroidectomy patients may have preferred avoiding a scar.
BACKGROUND: We investigated preferences between the transcervical and transoral thyroidectomy approach in the United States and Israel. METHODS: An online survey assessing scar attitudes and surgical preferences, in English and Hebrew, was distributed on ThyCa.com and other platforms. RESULTS: 928 and 339 responses from the United States and Israel cohorts, respectively, were analyzed. In both countries, individuals without prior thyroidectomy preferred a scarless approach when hypothetical risks equaled those of traditional thyroidectomy (77% United States, 76% Israel, p = 0.61). U.S. respondents without thyroidectomy had greater preference to avoid a scar and would pay more to do so than those with thyroidectomy (both p < 0.001). Many respondents with prior thyroidectomy still expressed interest in scarless alternatives (57% United States). CONCLUSIONS: Populations in Israel and the United States prefer scarless thyroidectomy when risks equal the traditional approach. While individuals without prior thyroidectomy are more likely to favor a scarless option, former thyroidectomy patients may have preferred avoiding a scar.
Authors: Kathy Bach; Samantha Prince; Susan C Pitt; Sarah Robbins; Nadine P Connor; Cameron Macdonald; Rebecca S Sippel; Kristin L Long Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2021-11-16 Impact factor: 2.192