Remote Access Thyroid Surgery: When Does It Make Sense?

Remote access thyroid surgery, or "scarless" thyroid surgery, describes a novel group of techniques that avoid the conventional cervical scar. Although there are a variety of approaches, 2 main techniques, the bilateral axillo-breast approach and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach, have emerged over the last 3 decades. Studies comparing remote access techniques with conventional thyroidectomy have shown equivalent safety and oncologic outcomes and superior cosmesis and quality of life outcomes. Proper patient selection and surgeon training are key for the success of these techniques.