Objective: This study evaluated changes in thyroid compartment incision site locations with patient positioning to define a reliable method for placing the scar in the optimal vertical location.
Methods: The optimal incision location was marked with the patient sitting upright before surgery. The distance from the sternal notch to this mark was measured with the patient in the upright, supine, and final surgical positions.
Results: Complete data were available for 104 procedures. The mean distances from the sternal notch to the incision site were 4.8, 21.5, and 31.9 mm in the sitting, supine, and surgical positions, respectively. Each of these distances were significantly different from one another (P<.0001) and were independent of patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), or height.
Conclusions: Cutaneous cervical landmarks migrate significantly during patient positioning. Marking the thyroid compartment incision site while the patient is in an upright position results in a more predictable final scar location.