Where should you make the incision on the strap muscles to properly expose a goitre?

Making the incision in the upper half of the strap muscles is the preferred approach when exposing a goitre for several reasons. The thyroid gland, where goitres develop, is located just below the strap muscles, which consist primarily of the sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles. By choosing to incise in the upper half, surgeons are able to maintain better mobility and structural integrity of the lower half of the strap muscles, allowing for greater ease of accessing the thyroid gland while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.

Additionally, an incision in the upper half facilitates a better surgical view of the thyroid gland and surrounding structures, which is essential for both dissection and identifying important anatomical landmarks such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the vascular supply to the thyroid. This strategic incision placement aids in providing a safer operative field, reducing the risk of complications during surgery.

In contrast, incisions made in the middle section or lateral edges may not provide adequate exposure of the goitre or could lead to increased tension on the tissue, potentially complicating the dissection process. The focus on incision placement is critical in thyroid surgery to ensure optimal outcomes and minimize postoperative complications.