Scarless thyroid surgery: Advanced care without a scar
When you need thyroid surgery, it’s possible to avoid a neck scar. Endocrine experts can perform scarless robotic and transoral thyroid surgery to treat thyroid cancer, goiters and thyroid nodules — and give you superior cosmetic and surgical results.
Benefits of scarless thyroid surgery
A scarless approach can eliminate your cosmetic concerns and give you the benefit of:
- A faster recovery
- Less pain
- Less risk of voice changes and other complications
Types of scarless thyroid procedures
Scarless thyroid procedures can be used to treat inflammatory thyroid conditions and most cases of early thyroid cancer — and were designed to help us remove the thyroid gland without leaving a scar on your neck.
There are two types of scarless surgeries available today:
- Robotic scarless thyroid surgery: The most modern type of thyroid surgery, this procedure allows your surgeon to make tiny incisions hidden in your armpit or behind your ear to access the thyroid gland. A camera gives us high-definition 3D images and robotic surgical tools help us work with extreme precision.
- Transoral scarless thyroid surgery: This approach allows us to access your thyroid gland by making small incisions inside your lower lip where we insert surgical tools to remove diseased thyroid tissue.
At the HCA Florida’s Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, we offer multiple scarless thyroid surgeries with advanced robotic systems to patients from Florida, other U.S. states and around the globe. Our surgeons completed advanced training in these techniques and perform a high volume of cases.
Are you a candidate?
Most patients are candidates for scarless thyroid surgery, but not all. Your anatomy, thyroid nodule size and location, and overall health are all key factors in determining if it’s right for you.
You’re likely a good candidate for a scarless procedure if you:
- Are prone to keloids
- Have a small, well-located goiter or thyroid cancer
- Have benign thyroid nodules
- Prioritize avoiding a visible neck scar
Your doctor will talk with you about the specifics of your condition and the best approach for you. But patient safety always comes first. We only recommend scarless surgery if it won’t impact surgical outcomes. You may not be a good candidate for the procedure if you have:
- Certain anatomical variations
- Extensive thyroid cancer or lymph node involvement
- Had previous neck surgeries
- Large goiters
What to expect, from consultation to surgery
When you come to the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, our experts complete a detailed consultation to determine the right procedure for you, which will likely include imaging studies of your thyroid and pathology tests.
If you’re approved for scarless thyroid surgery, your care team will talk with you about the best surgical approach. We consider:
- Aesthetic and functional outcomes
- Cosmetic goals
- Safety
- Surgical accessibility
Next, we schedule your procedure. The surgery takes about:
- 90 minutes to remove part of the thyroid
- 2 hours to remove the entire thyroid
- 3 to 4 hours to remove advanced thyroid cancer
Most scarless thyroid surgeries are outpatient procedures, which means you can go home the same day. However, some patients may need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation.
As a national destination center for endocrine surgery, we offer both virtual consultation and streamlined scheduling for out-of-town patients to eliminate multiple visits.
Personalized follow-up care
Most patients don’t require follow-up care after scarless thyroid surgery, but we’ll make sure you can reach us with any questions. Our team will also reach out to you to share any test results and check on your healing and recovery.
Here with the advanced care you deserve
As you explore the benefits of scarless thyroid surgery, the experts at HCA Florida Healthcare are here to help find the right procedure for you. Schedule a scarless thyroid surgery consultation with one of our thyroid experts today. No referral is needed.