Endocrine Surgeon Insoo Suh, MD Pioneers New Hybrid Surgical Option for “Hidden Scar” Thyroidectomy
*This post is excerpted from an original news article by UCSF. You can read the original article here.*
Insoo Suh, M.D., FACS, assistant professor of endocrine surgery and noted surgical innovator, presented his experiences using “scarless” transoral endoscopic thyroid and parathyroid surgery to a national audience at the 2018 meeting of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES). Minimally invasive and remote access thyroid surgery has been evolving with the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) emerging as a true "scarless" thyroidectomy. Dr. Suh helped pioneer this technique and is among the first surgeons in the U.S. to utililze it.
Dr. Suh also discussed his experiences with a new hybrid procedure using a TransOral and Submental Technique (TOaST) technique, a refinement that pairs the transoral approach with a small easily hidden incision just under the chin, offering patients an additional surgical option with a number of potential benefits including:
Decrease in postoperative complications and patient discomfort
The ability to accommodate larger thyroid specimens
Maintaining virtually all of the cosmetic benefits of traditional scarless surgery
This article beautifully highlights how innovation is transforming thyroid care. Dr. Insoo Suh’s hybrid surgical approach is truly impressive and gives hope to many patients concerned about visible scarring. It’s also interesting how advancements like Non-Surgical Thyroid Artery Embolization are reshaping treatment options and making thyroid care less invasive and more patient-friendly overall.