Postoperative Satisfaction of Breast-Aillary Bilateral Approach in Patients with Thyroid Tumor: Comparison with Conventional Approach

Keimyung Medical Journal 2012;31(2):235-242.

갑상선 종양의 유방-액와 접근법의 수술후 만족도 비교: 고식적 수술과 비교

김은자; 강선희; 조지형

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare postoperative pain and cosmetic satisfaction between conventional neck approach and breast-axillary bilateral approach. From May 2012 to August 2012; we made a survey of satisfaction on 59 patients who visited Dongsan breast thyroid cancer center. Using structured questionnaire; the patients were evaluated a week after the operation and six month after the operation. The participants were divided into two groups such as conventional neck approach group (n=36) and breast-axillary bilateral approach group (n=23). Postoperative cosmetic satisfaction was much better in breast-axillary bilateral approach group (p =0.019). However; postoperative pain was significantly worse in breast-axillary bilateral group (p =0.005). Breast-axillary bilateral approach have cosmetic benefits but postoperative pain is worse than conventional neck approach. Therefore; we need to explain about postoperative pain during preoperative counseling and aggressively control pain during immediate postoperative period.

Key Words: Postoperative pain, Questionnaire, Satisfaction, Thyroid