A Surgery first for CUH

Cork University Hospital has performed its first "Scarless" thyroid surgery procedure.

It has become one of the first hospitals in Northern Europe to perform the surgery.  The technique used to perform scarless thyroid surgery involves performing keyhole surgery through the mouth to remove the diseased thyroid gland.  This method avoids a scar in the neck that can be difficult to conceal.  It is also of use for patients prone to keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

Standard keyhole surgery equipment is used for the procedure which allows the operating surgeon to visualise the operating field in 20 fold magnification and high definition.

The surgical team in Cork led by Professor Paul Redmond, underwent specialised training in New York and Messina, Sicily.

Professor Redmond said: "To date, patients who underwent the surgery were delighted with the results and the lack of scar in the neck.  Several attempts have been made internationally to develop minimally invasive techniques for thyroid surgery but the trans-oral approach is the only one to offer the same safety profile as the traditional open thyroid approach and the best results.  We look forward to getting a full and operational "scarless" thyroid surgery programme underway here in Cork"