Microwave Ablation Vs Traditional Thyroidectomy for Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective, Non-Randomized Cohort Study.
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.
['Li|Shaokun|S|', 'Yang|Mingfeng|M|', 'Guo|Haipeng|H|', 'Liu|Muyuan|M|', 'Xu|Shaowei|S|', 'Peng|Hanwei|H|']
Microwave ablation Thyroidectomy Benign thyroid nodules Trauma Complications