Abstract
BackgroundLarge benign thyroid nodules often lead to cosmetic problems and compression on trachea. Thermal ablation is an effective method for benign thyroid nodules treatment. Among all the thermal ablation techniques, microwave and radiofrequency are frequently used energy sources. However, treatment outcomes of the two ablation types have not been compared in detail. Therefore, we conducted this study aiming for comparing the safety and efficacy of the two ablation techniques in benign thyroid nodules treatment.MethodsInformation was retrospectively collected from patients with benign thyroid nodules, who received radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, in a main hospital in South China. Patients were divided into microwave ablation group and radiofrequency ablation group according to the techniques applied. A propensity score matching was performed to balance the baseline indexes between the two groups. We also recorded and analyzed the operative variables including operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, and overall costs. Postoperative quality of life, volume reduction rates, and complication rates were routinely evaluated during the follow-up by asking patients to fulfil questionnaires at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 18th postoperative month.ResultsA total of 943 patients receiving microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation in the years of 2018 and 2019 met our inclusion criteria. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 289 pairs of patients were matched. There was no significant difference between the two groups in operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, overall cost, quality of life scores, complication rates or volume reduction rates.ConclusionThere was no significant difference between microwave and radiofrequency ablation in terms of safety and efficacy. Both of the two techniques` are ideal therapeutic methods in benign thyroid nodules treatment.Registration numberChiCTR2000034764.
Highlights
The morbidity of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) increases every year in the world wide [1]
There was no significant difference between the two groups in operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, overall cost, quality of life scores, complication rates or volume reduction rates
When bilateral thyroid lobes were removed during thyroidectomy, patients after surgery often need to receive levothyroxine replacement therapy, while longterm levothyroxine may bring about side effects including osteoporosis, in middle-aged females [4]
Summary
The morbidity of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) increases every year in the world wide [1]. Used thermal ablation techniques include microwave ablation (MWA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation, and laser ablation (LA) [6], among which MWA and RFA are the most frequently applied Both methods have been reported to possess high safety and efficacy [7, 8]. We conducted this study to compare MWA to RFA regarding operative variables (operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, and overall cost), postoperative QoL, and incidence rates of complications (horseness, skin burn, incision infection, and postoperative hemorrhage) By this detailed comparison, we aim to verify a more ideal therapy method for patients with BTNs. Large benign thyroid nodules often lead to cosmetic problems and compression on trachea. We conducted this study aiming for comparing the safety and efficacy of the two ablation techniques in benign thyroid nodules treatment
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