Doctors in Navi Mumbai have given a new lease of life to a woman, who was diagnosed with a thyroid tumour in the neck. The surgery was completed successfully without leaving any visible scar on her neck, offering both medical and cosmetic benefits to the patient.
The woman, a 40-year-old homemaker from Pen in Maharashtra, noticed a lump in her neck two years ago, which gradually became a major source of stress and anxiety for her. Being conscious about her appearance, she constantly worried about the possibility of a visible scar on her neck and began avoiding social gatherings and stepping out confidently. The emotional burden affected not only her self-esteem but also her daily life. For nearly two years, she struggled with the condition, moving from place to place in search of relief and the right treatment option, but could not find a satisfactory solution. Her family started searching for the right specialist and advanced treatment option, and approached Dr Chavan in Navi Mumbai. After detailed consultations, investigations, and counselling, she was advised to undergo Thyroidectomy, an advanced scarless thyroid surgery performed through the mouth, offering both medical treatment and cosmetic relief.
The successful and advanced surgical intervention, a team led by Dr Rahulkumar Narayan Chavan, surgical oncologist at Medicover Hospitals, performed a Transoral Endoscopic Vestibular Approach Thyroidectomy (TOEVA).
Dr Chavan said, “The patient came to us with a thyroid swelling and understandable anxiety regarding surgery and visible scarring on the neck. Upon investigation, it appeared to be a benign tumour. We planned a Transoral Endoscopic Vestibular Approach Thyroidectomy (TOEVA), which is a completely scarless thyroid surgery performed through the mouth. The patient was an ideal candidate for this advanced scarless thyroid surgery because she was a young female for whom cosmetic appearance was an important concern. In conventional thyroid surgery, a visible scar remains on the front of the neck, which is one of the most noticeable parts of a person’s appearance and personality. Such scars can sometimes lead to psychological stress, lowered confidence, and even social concerns, especially among young unmarried individuals. Since this patient was deeply concerned about neck scarring, the scarless endoscopic approach offered a more suitable option. This procedure is technically very demanding and requires advanced surgical expertise because the surgeon operates through the mouth in a very limited space using modern endoscopic instruments and camera guidance. Unlike robotic surgery, endoscopic surgery is performed in a two-dimensional view, which requires exceptional precision, skill, and experience from the surgeon. However, this technique also helps avoid the additional cost associated with robotic surgery while still providing excellent cosmetic outcomes.”
He further added, “The thyroid gland is located in the lower front part of the neck, and thyroid diseases are commonly seen among young people. Traditionally, thyroid surgery requires a large horizontal cut across the neck to remove the thyroid gland, which permanently leaves a noticeable scar. In this case, the entire thyroid gland was removed through the mouth, which is a natural opening in the body. Because there was no external cut on the neck, the patient was left completely scar-free. Compared to conventional surgery, this technique also resulted in minimal bleeding, less pain, negligible visible trauma, and a quicker physical as well as emotional recovery. The procedure lasted for nearly three hours and offered excellent surgical and cosmetic outcomes for the patient.”
Many young people are especially concerned about permanent scars on the neck, and this procedure effectively addresses both the medical condition and cosmetic concerns. “This minimally invasive surgery avoids cuts on the neck and helps patients recover with better cosmetic outcomes and reduced emotional stress. Robotic thyroid surgery is another advanced option that provides more flexibility and multi-dimensional movement during surgery, but it also increases the overall treatment cost. Endoscopic surgery remains an excellent and more affordable alternative in suitable patients when performed by experienced hands. Awareness of scarless thyroid surgery remains extremely limited in India. In fact, the majority of the patient population and even clinicians are not aware of such an option. The procedure is still performed by only a limited number of specialists in the country because of its technical complexity. Through cases like these, we hope more patients understand that advanced and cosmetically safe thyroid surgery treatment options are available today,” highlighted Navi Mumbai-based health expert.
The woman said, “When I discovered the lump in my neck, I was very worried and scared about surgery. My family and I searched for the right doctor and finally met Dr Rahulkumar Chavan at Medicover Hospitals. He explained everything to us very patiently and gave us confidence about the treatment. The entire hospital staff supported me throughout my journey. My surgery went successfully, and I am happy that there is no scar on my neck. I sincerely thank Dr Chavan and the hospital staff for taking such good care of me.”