Sternomastoid intermuscular approach has better postoperative cosmesis and less neck discomfort than linea alba cervicalis approach in hemithyroidectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Chen L, He Q, Tian H, Zhu Q, Shen Y, Fang Y et al.

Int J Surg 2023; 109: 2672-2679.

Two different surgical approaches were assessed in 220 patients having surgery for unilateral thyroid cancer. Both incisions were safe and effective, but the sternomastoid incision resulted in less discomfort in the first month (P=0.02), and improved cosmesis from an observer viewpoint.

Comment: The lateral approach for a hemithyroidectomy could have advantages over the standard transverse incision.