Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40775191›Full record

SynthesisAesthetic plastic surgery2025

Comparative Aesthetic Outcomes of Wound Closure Methods Following Thyroidectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Mazin Merdad, Abdulsalam Alqutub, Maan Magboul, Mohammed Awadh, Hassan Faidah, Abdulaziz G Aljohani, Hamza A Fadel, Abdulelah G Abumohssin, Ahmed Mogharbel

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mazin MerdadDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulsalam AlqutubDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Makkah Health Cluster, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. ksasalam47@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0002-8602-4972
Maan MagboulDepartment of Dermatology, King Abdulaziz Medical City-National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed AwadhDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Hassan FaidahDepartment of Dermatology, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz G AljohaniDepartment of Dermatology, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Hamza A FadelDepartment of Dermatology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulelah G AbumohssinDepartment of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed MogharbelDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThyroidectomy is among the most common surgical procedures worldwide. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, cosmetic outcomes following thyroidectomy continue to be a major concern. One of the key factors that could influence postoperative results is the method of wound closure; however, there is no established consensus on the optimal wound closure approach. Our study aims to compare the cosmetic outcomes of the available wound closure methods in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

methodsWe conducted an extensive search across four databases until February 2025. We included all studies that evaluate the cosmetic outcomes of various wound closure methods after thyroidectomy. Our primary outcomes were the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scales (POSAS), operative time required for wound closure, and the ability to shower. Continuous outcomes were analyzed as mean differences (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), while dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI.

resultsOur review included twelve randomized controlled trials and three observational cohort studies involving 1131 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. The pooled analysis revealed higher OSAS in the tissue adhesive group compared to the subcuticular suture group (MD=4.50, 95% CI [1.83 to 7.16], p=0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two approaches regarding PSAS scores (MD=4.16, 95% CI [ -4.18 to 12.51], p=0.33). Additionally, tissue adhesives were linked to a shorter wound closure time compared to subcuticular sutures (MD= -3.33, 95% CI [ -5.88 to -0.78], p=0.01). When compared to staples, tissue adhesives exhibited higher rates of excellent ability to shower (RR=5.66, 95% CI [1.87 to 17.13], p=0.001).

conclusionTissue adhesive is associated with poorer scar appearance but faster wound closure when compared to subcuticular sutures. Moreover, tissue adhesive also showed a better ability to shower compared to staples. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Indexed as

ThyroidectomyWound Closure TechniquesCicatrixEstheticsFemaleHumansMaleRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSuture TechniquesTreatment OutcomeWound HealingClosureScarThyroidectomyWound

Identifiers

PMID40775191

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.