Most patients with thyroid tumors are effectively treated surgically by practitioners experienced in the techniques of thyroidectomy. Many patients, especially women, undergoing thyroid surgery are concerned about the postoperative cosmetic appearance of the neck. Robotic thyroidectomy which can hide the operative scar was associated with a higher degree of patient cosmetic satisfaction.

Most patients with thyroid tumors are effectively treated surgically by practitioners experienced in the techniques of thyroidectomy. Many patients, especially women, undergoing thyroid surgery are concerned about the postoperative cosmetic appearance of the neck. Robotic thyroidectomy which can hide the operative scar was associated with a higher degree of patient cosmetic satisfaction. In this study, we designed a prospective study comparing the cosmetic satisfaction and the postoperative body image change which associated with patient self-esteem between robotic thyroidectomy and conventional open thyroidectomy group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy
• Age was over 20 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Keloid
• Previous neck or anterior chest operation history
• The patients who underwent combined radical neck dissection
• The patient with postoperative wound problem
• The patient with underlying systemic disease which can make influences on the wound healing process
• The patient who can not read and understand the questionnaire

120 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy at Yonsei University Health System were enrolled. 60patients were conventional open thyroidectomy group and 60 patients were robotic thyroidectomy group. All of these patients was over 20 years old.