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What is Scarless Thyroidectomy: Purpose, Complications & Advantages

By Dr. Akshat Malik in Surgical Oncology , Cancer Care / Oncology , Head & Neck Oncology , Robotic Surgery

Jun 19 , 2025 | 2 min read

Thyroid-related diseases are common worldwide. Most of these conditions are benign and not dangerous. However, about 5% of thyroid disorders can be malignant and require surgical treatment. Non-cancerous or benign thyroid swellings are typically monitored unless they become cosmetically bothersome or compress the food pipe or windpipe. Surgery for such benign swellings is considered under these circumstances.

Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on various factors, including:

Age and sex of the patient
Size of the tumour
Presence of lymph node involvement
Distant metastasis

Surgery is often the primary treatment and is tailored to the individual. Surgical options include:

Hemi-thyroidectomy: Removal of one-half of the thyroid gland.
Total thyroidectomy: Complete removal of the thyroid gland.

In some cases, lymph nodes in the neck or chest may also need to be removed if they are affected by the disease.

Complications of Thyroid Surgery

Common complications associated with thyroid surgery include:

Vocal Cord Palsy: If the nerve supplying the vocal cords is injured or removed during surgery, the patient may experience hoarseness of voice. This can be temporary or permanent, with permanent vocal cord palsy occurring in less than 5% of cases.
Hypocalcemia: If the blood supply to the parathyroid glands is compromised, the patient may develop low calcium levels in the blood. This condition can be temporary or permanent and may require calcium supplementation.
Lifelong Hormone Therapy: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy may require lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation.

What is Scarless Thyroidectomy?

Conventional thyroidectomy involves removing the thyroid gland through an incision in the neck. In contrast, scarless thyroidectomy eliminates any visible or apparent neck scar by accessing the thyroid gland from a distant location. These approaches include:

Behind the ear
Through the chest
From within the mouth

How are These Surgeries Performed?

Certain surgical modifications are required to access the thyroid gland from a remote location. These surgeries can be performed using:

Endoscopic instruments
Robotic assistance: Robotic surgery is preferred for its precision, dexterity, and minimal invasiveness.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Robotic thyroid surgery offers several benefits:

No visible scar: The procedure is performed from a distant site, making it ideal for cosmetic considerations.
Minimal blood loss
Magnified view: Enhanced visualization helps preserve the vocal cord nerve and parathyroid glands, leading to fewer complications and faster recovery.
High precision
Faster recovery

Who Performs These Surgeries?

Trained Head and Neck Robotic Surgeons conduct scarless robotic thyroid surgeries. Using a surgical robot, the surgeon operates fine instruments through small incisions. The robot provides a 3-dimensional view of the operating area, and the robotic surgeon controls the entire procedure from a separate console.

Recovery After Surgery

Patients typically recover quickly after scarless thyroid surgery:

Same-day mobility: Patients can eat, drink, and move around on the day of surgery.
Drain placement: A drain is inserted to remove collected blood, which is removed within a couple of days.
No dietary or activity restrictions

Scarless robotic surgery offers a less invasive, aesthetically appealing option with quicker recovery and fewer complications, making it a preferred choice for suitable candidates.

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