According to Science Daily surgeons can now perform a new form of endoscopic surgery that uses a small incision under the arm to remove all or a portion of the thyroid or parathyroid glands without leaving a scar on the neck. Thyroidectomy scar can be particularly problematic because the hormonal imbalance can complicate wound healing and might make the scarring worse.

That’s good news for some patients who might end up with a smaller thyroidectomy scar. Everyone else, not lucky enough to have a scarless surgery, should use a silicone gel like Strataderm to prevent abnormal scarring in the form of keloid or hypertrophic scars. Strataderm should be used as prophylaxis, particularly in high risk groups, in combination and/or as monotherapy.

“Silicone gel sheeting has been shown efficacious not only in the treatment but also in the prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids. The application of silicone gel sheets after surgical resection prevented the development of hypertrophic scars and keloids in 75 % to 85 % of the cases.” Borgognoni L. Biological effects of silicone gel sheeting. Wound Repair Regen 2002; 10:118–121