Pictorial essay of vestibular incision outcomes from transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy

Purpose The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has emerged as a new treatment option for patients with selected thyroid disease requiring surgery. The aim of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the healing outcomes of the vestibular incisions. Methods TOETVA patients were recruited at two Centers in China and Italy. TOETVA is initiated with one 10–20-mm median incision in the center of the oral vestibule 10 mm above the inferior labial frenulum, and two 5-mm lateral incisions, just below the lower lip near the labial commissure. Healing of the vestibular incision was monitored through serial photographs 1, 3, 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery. Outcomes were evaluated by Landry’s score, time to healing, issues affecting wound outcomes, scar, fibrin, granulation, necrotic tissue formation, and infections. Results Results of TOETVA were monitored in 52 patients. There were no postoperative infections. All lateral incisions demonstrated favorable surgical outcomes. Landry’s criteria scores indicated worse outcomes for the median incisions vs. the lateral ones (p