A cost-effective porcine training model for thermal ablation of thyroid nodules and subsequent transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Abstract

Background: Preclinical training is essential for thermal ablation (TA) of thyroid nodules; however, there is a lack of optimal simulators. We aimed to create a training model for TA using live pigs, followed by neck surgery.

Methods: We recruited trainees from across China to participate in a workshop that included TA practice and subsequent transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy. The operative performance of trainees and any complications were documented. Following the workshop, participants completed online questionnaires using a 1-5 Likert Scale to evaluate their subjective experiences. The costs associated with the training were meticulously calculated.

Results: Five pigs were utilized for the workshop. Eighteen trainees and six mentors from seventeen institutions participated in the study. Seventeen trainees (94.4%; 95% CI, 74.2-99.0) successfully visualized the needle tips within the thyroid gland, while one was unsuccessful. Two trainees (11.1%; 95% CI, 2.0-30.8) experienced trachea injury during the subsequent thyroidectomy assessment. No cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury were reported, as evaluated by neuromonitoring. Participants rated their operational experience with a score of 3.33 ± 1.05 compared to human procedures. Excluding labor costs, the average expense for each trainee for TA training was 50.4 ± 4.0 euros.

Conclusions: This study presents a cost-effective porcine training model for TA followed by neck surgery. The model provided a realistic simulation of human procedures and enabled immediate assessment of structural injuries, demonstrating its potential for use in TA training prior to human procedures.