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Published on: May 12, 2023
Microwave Ablation Vs Traditional Thyroidectomy for Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective, Non-Randomized Cohort
Shaokun Li1, Mingfeng Yang1, Haipeng Guo1
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, China.
Rationale And Objectives:
To evaluate the efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) and compare trauma and complication rates between MWA and traditional thyroidectomy for BTNs.
Materials And Methods:
84 patients with BTNs were recruited and followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12months. 56 and 28 patients chose to undergo MWA (group A) and traditional thyroidectomy (group B), respectively. Efficacy was assessed by volume reduction rate (VRR) and therapeutic success rate (TSR) at each follow-up. Trauma was compared using inflammation response parameters, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, quality of life (QOL) and thyroid function measures at 1, 3, and 6 months. Complications rates were also compared.
Results:
The VRR was 80.70 ± 18.60%, and TSR was 91.70% at 6-months. Furthermore, the VRR increased to 90.45 ± 11.51%, and TSR increased to 100% at 12-months. C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in group B on the first postoperative day (POD) (3.89 ± 0.86 mg/mL vs 3.39 ± 0.56 mg/mL, p = 0.002). Visual analog scale scores were significantly lower in group A on the first and second POD. Thyroid stimulating hormone levels were significantly lower in group A at three (1.71 ± 1.12uIU/mL vs 2.37 ± 1.24uIU/mL, p = 0.013) and 6-months (1.34 ± 0.70uIU/mL vs 1.97 ± 0.94uIU/mL, p = 0.002). There were no significant between-group differences in QOL and complication rates.
Conclusion:
Microwave ablation shows acceptable and promising efficacy. Compared with thyroidectomy, MWA was associated with less trauma and comparable complication rates.
