Early Scar Therapies After Thyroidectomy Show Modest BenefitEarly laser and steroid treatments improve thyroidectomy scars

Frontiers in Medicine Published September 8, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD · Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic

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Key Takeaway

Early laser plus steroid or light-based therapy may improve post-thyroidectomy scars, but low certainty precludes definitive recommendations.

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated early scar-directed interventions for visible anterior neck scars following thyroidectomy and related cervicotomy procedures. The analysis included 408 unique participants, contributing 469 scar or incision observations, with follow-up ranging from 3 to 12 months.

Three intervention categories were compared against control or each other: laser plus steroid, laser or light-based protocols, and platelet-rich plasma. Laser plus steroid showed the largest favorable effect on scar quality, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -1.35 (95% CI -1.87 to -0.83). Laser or light-based protocols also demonstrated improvement (SMD -0.95, 95% CI -1.40 to -0.50). Platelet-rich plasma yielded a similar point estimate (SMD -0.95) but with a wider confidence interval (95% CI -1.73 to -0.16) and very low certainty.

Certainty of evidence, assessed using the CINeMA framework, was low or very low across all comparisons. The platelet-rich plasma node was supported by only a single small study with methodological concerns, making its estimate particularly uncertain. No adverse events or safety data were reported in the included studies.

Because of the low certainty, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating rather than definitive. The results do not support claims of comparative superiority among the interventions. Clinicians may consider early laser-based approaches, but shared decision-making should acknowledge the limited evidence base.

How this fits prior evidence

This meta-analysis addresses a gap in evidence regarding the management of visible anterior neck scars following thyroidectomy. While previous coverage has discussed the use of steroids in various contexts, such as reducing mortality in adult TB meningitis patients and the risks of steroid avoidance in kidney transplant patients, this study specifically evaluates steroids as part of a combined laser-plus-steroid intervention for cosmetic scar improvement.

If you've had your thyroid removed, you know the scar on your neck can be a constant reminder. That scar can feel tight, itchy, or just plain noticeable. New research looks at whether treating it early, within months of surgery, can make a real difference.

In a systematic review of 408 people who had thyroid surgery or related neck procedures, researchers compared early scar treatments. They looked at laser plus steroid, laser or light-based therapy alone, and platelet-rich plasma (a treatment made from your own blood). The goal was to see which approach improved scar quality best at 3 to 12 months after treatment.

The results? Laser plus steroid came out on top, with a statistically significant improvement (SMD -1.35). Laser or light-based therapy alone also helped (SMD -0.95), and platelet-rich plasma showed promise too (SMD -0.95), but that finding was very uncertain.

Here's the honest catch: the evidence is not rock solid. The certainty of the findings was low or very low, meaning future research could change the picture. The platelet-rich plasma result, in particular, came from just one small study with some flaws. So while these treatments look promising, we can't say for sure that one is better than another.

If you're considering treatment for a thyroidectomy scar, talk to your doctor. They can help you weigh the options based on your situation and the latest evidence.

What this means for you:

Early laser plus steroid may improve thyroidectomy scars, but evidence is low certainty.

Common questions

What is a thyroidectomy scar?

A thyroidectomy scar is the mark left on your neck after surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland. It's usually a horizontal line that can be red, raised, or itchy. This review looked at treatments started early, within months of surgery, to improve how the scar looks and feels.

What treatments were compared in this review?

The review compared early treatments for neck scars after thyroidectomy: laser plus steroid, laser or light-based therapy alone, and platelet-rich plasma (a substance made from your own blood). The goal was to see which improved scar quality best at 3 to 12 months after treatment.

How effective is laser plus steroid for thyroidectomy scars?

In this review, laser plus steroid showed a favorable effect on scar quality, with a statistical measure of -1.35. That means it likely helps improve scars, but the certainty of the evidence is low. So while it looks promising, more research is needed to confirm how well it works.

Are these scar treatments safe?

The review did not report on side effects or safety issues for these treatments. It focused only on how well they improved scar quality. If you're considering any treatment, ask your doctor about possible risks and benefits based on your health history.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedSep 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Visible anterior neck scars after thyroidectomy and related cervicotomy procedures remain clinically important aesthetic and psychosocial concerns. This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared randomized evidence for early scar-directed interventions, while separating surgical closure method trials from postoperative scar modulation strategies. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched independently from database inception to 17 June 2026. The primary outcome was scar quality at the longest available 3- to 12-month follow-up, assessed using POSAS, OSAS/PSAS, VSS/mVSS, SBSES, and MSS in a prespecified hierarchy. The primary connected network included six randomized trials comprising 408 unique participants and 469 analyzed scar/incision observations, with 10 direct comparisons and eight scar-directed treatment nodes. Laser plus steroid demonstrated a favorable low-certainty network estimate (standardized mean difference (SMD) −1.35, 95% CI −1.87 to −0.83), as did laser/light-based protocols (SMD −0.95, 95% CI −1.40 to −0.50). Platelet-rich plasma also showed a favorable estimate (SMD −0.95, 95% CI −1.73 to −0.16), but this evidence was very uncertain because the node was supported by a single small study with methodological concerns. CINeMA certainty was low or very low across comparisons. Closure method trials were retained as a descriptive evidence map because their mechanisms, timing, and clinical decision context differed from scar-directed therapy. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and do not support definitive comparative superiority claims.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420261427171, PROSPERO CRD420261427171.

Early Scar Therapies After Thyroidectomy Show Modest BenefitEarly laser and steroid treatments improve thyroidectomy scars

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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