Description

Purpose

To evaluates the difference in thyroid cosmesis between two different surgical incision methods during thyroidectomy: scalpel vs electrocautery.

Hypotheses

The investigators' hypotheses is that there is no difference in the cosmetic outcome of surgical incision during thyroidectomy by either a scalpel or electrocautery.

Justification

Very few studies have addressed whether electrocautery produces a cosmetically inferior surgical scar in an objective manner. While some studies have commented briefly on the cosmesis of electrocautery scars, only one previous randomized clinical trials to date have evaluated the cosmesis of electrocautery and scalpel incisions using a validated scar assessment tool. In this study, Chau et al. found that after 6 months postoperatively there was no difference in objective cosmetic outcome or subjective patient satisfaction between the two techniques. This study was a relatively smaller trial, evaluating a total of 38 incisions, thus a larger scale study would be warranted.

A further advantage of electrocautery over scalpels is the decreased risk of surgical injuries. Approximately 17% of all surgical sharps injuries are due to scalpel blades, while only 2% were associated with electrocautery devices. As awareness and concern over blood born diseases increases, further efforts to reduce sharp injuries including replacing scalpels with electrocautery when possible should be investigated.

Objectives

Aim 1: To compare the cosmetic outcome of surgical scars resulting from scalpel and electrocautery incisions.

Aim 2: To determine rates of wound infection associated with each technique.

Aim 3: To assess if electrocautery incisions are associated with a difference in postoperative pain compared to incisions made by a scalpel.

Research Method:

Patients who are already scheduled for thyroid surgery with Dr. Sam Wiseman at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC, and that meet the eligibility criteria for this study will be invited to participate. After signing the informed consent form, participants will be randomized into either one of the two incision methods, but will be blinded as to which one they receive. There will be two follow-up time points: one at 6 months and another at 12 months postoperative. At these time points the research team will send a letter to the participant asking them to rate the appearance of their surgical scar, rate of their wound infection and the degree of their post operative pain using the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). They will also be asked to take a picture of their scar and send it back to the research team so the research team can make a similar assessment.

Statistical Analysis:

Once the research team receives the participant's questionnaire and photo, the images of their surgical scars will be evaluated by independent, trained, and blinded observers who will use the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) to evaluate the cosmesis of the surgical scar. The participants questionnaires will also be evaluated by the surgical team to assess Objective: Aim #3. The study concludes when the 12 month follow-up and these assessment by the research team is complete.