Objective To evaluate if performing thyroidectomy through small incision has any notable aesthetic impact on patients compared with larger incision. Methods Thirty consecutive patients underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled from March 2008 to June 2008 in this prospective randomized pilot study. The incision length was 6 cm in the small incision group and 9 cm in the larger incision group. After 3 years follow-up，the scar aesthetics were evaluated by patients and surgeons using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale （POSAS），Vancouver Scar Scale （VSS），respectively. Digital photographs about scars were taken and assessed by non-research related viewers. Results There were 13 cases who received scar aesthetic assessment in both groups. The demographic characteristics of both groups were comparative. The overall patients’ satisfactions for the small incision group and the larger incision group were （2.5±1.9） scores and （2.2±1.5）scores， respectively （P=0.55）. There were no significant differences in scar assessment scale score as for other scar assessment scales （including VSS score，PSAS score，and OSAS score） between the two groups. The evaluation of digital photographs about scars by non-research related viewers was no significant difference （P＞0.05）. Conclusion Larger cervical scar in thyroidectomy does not decrease patients’ satisfaction with their scar results.
