From ablation to operation: Unraveling the surgical outcomes and complications of thyroidectomy after radiofrequency ablation.
Mohammad Hussein, Eman Toraih, Peter P Issa, Mahmoud Omar, Mohamed Aboueisha, Yusef Buti, Chad P Issa, Aaron L Albuck, Katherine Cironi, Abdallah S Attia, Alexandra C LaForteza, Mohamed Shama, Emad Kandil
Author Information
Mohammad Hussein: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Eman Toraih: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA. Electronic address: etoraih@tulane.edu.
Peter P Issa: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Mahmoud Omar: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Mohamed Aboueisha: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Yusef Buti: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Chad P Issa: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Aaron L Albuck: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Katherine Cironi: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Abdallah S Attia: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Alexandra C LaForteza: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Mohamed Shama: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Emad Kandil: Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for thyroid nodules; however, concerns exist regarding its impact on subsequent thyroid surgery. We compared surgical outcomes and complications between patients undergoing thyroidectomy after radiofrequency ablation (post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group) and those without prior radiofrequency ablation (non-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed thyroidectomy patients, comparing post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy and non-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy groups, examining demographics, nodule characteristics, surgical techniques, and complications. RESULTS: The study included 96 patients (73 in the non-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group and 23 in the post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group). The mean age was 53.3 ± 14.4 years, with 78.1% female patients and 36.5% African American patients. Median operative time was similar between the post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy (110 minutes) and the non-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy (92 minutes) cohorts (P = .40). Complications were reported in 13 patients, without significant differences between groups (P = .54). No permanent complications, including nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism, were reported in either cohort. Prior radiofrequency ablation treatment did not increase the risk of complications (odds ratio = 3.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.70-17.43, P = .16). CONCLUSION: Our work found no differences in outcomes or safety in patients undergoing thyroidectomy with or without previous radiofrequency ablation treatment, potentiating the post-radiofrequency ablation thyroidectomy group as a safe management option. Accordingly, this may reassure both clinicians and patients of the safety of radiofrequency ablation in treating patients with thyroid nodules.
