Comparison of quality of life and cosmetic result between open and transaxillary endoscopic thyroid lobectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma survivors: A single‐center prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy has been introduced to achieve better cosmetic outcomes. However, the benefits of this technology on the patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether transaxillary endoscopic lobectomy is comparable to conventional open lobectomy in terms of QOL and cosmetic results in order to provide more evidence for establishing appropriate clinical decisions. METHODS: Between August 2019 and May 2020, transaxillary endoscopic lobectomy and conventional open lobectomy were performed in 73 and 99 patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, respectively. HRQoL was assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery using the Thyroid Cancer‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. The cosmetic outcomes were assessed 12 months after surgery using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the surgical results between the two groups. However, the data showed that the average operative time and postoperative hospital stay of the transaxillary group were longer than those of the open group (p < 0.001). Both groups showed similar changes in the QOL scores over time. However, the transaxillary group had fewer complaints of the throat or oral problems at 1 month postoperatively than the open group (p < 0.001). During the follow‐up, the cosmetic results of scars in the transaxillary group were significantly better than those in the open group (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent transaxillary endoscopic lobectomy had higher overall satisfaction with their scar appearance, determined using POSAS, at 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that transaxillary endoscopic lobectomy may offer better cosmetic and HRQoL outcomes.