Time Heals Most Wounds - Perceptions of Thyroidectomy Scars in Patients With Thyroid Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients understandably have concerns about thyroidectomy scars. This study aimed to characterize patients' perceptions of their thyroidectomy scar before and up to 1-y after surgery.

Methods

Patients with papillary thyroid cancer (n = 83) completed semi-structured interviews before and at 2-wks, 6-Wk, 6-mo, and 1-y post-thyroidectomy. Interviews probed about scar concerns and appearance. Content analysis was used to identify themes.

Results

The majority of participants did not express concerns about scar appearance. When expressed, preoperative concerns often stemmed from previous surgery experiences or unease with neck incisions. Postoperatively, concerns about scar appearance decreased over time throughout the healing period with most patients being sati

SUBMITTER: Bach K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8712385 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature