Prospective Study of Sensation in Anterior Chest Areas Before and After a Bilateral Axillo-breast Approach for Endoscopic/Robotic Thyroid Surgery

Background The bilateral axillo-breast approach for endoscopic/robotic thyroid surgery (BABA) shows good oncologic and surgical outcomes and does not result in neck scars. However, there is concern about potential sensory changes of the skin flaps after BABA, especially of the breast areas. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate sensory changes in the skin flaps after BABA. Patients and Methods A total of 19 women (mean age 36.9 ± 8.7; age range 21–51 years) who underwent BABA were enrolled. Skin flap sensory assessments were performed for each patient preoperatively and again at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was used to evaluate the cutaneous light-pressure thresholds, a biothesiometer was used to evaluate the vibration thresholds, and an infrared thermometer was used to measure skin temperatures of the skin flaps. Results There were changes in the sensations of the anterior chest areas over time, as determined by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (1.5 vs 4.3 versus 1.4; P