Comparison of clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients with benign euthyroid solitary nodules after ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Background: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for benign solid thyroid nodules is the newest modality for treatment. However, the differences in treatment outcomes between MWA and endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) for patients with benign euthyroid solitary nodules remain unknown. We are sharing initial results from our prospective study.

Methods: Prospective study between January 2022 and December 2023 was conducted and data were noted at 3 time points in patients planned for treatment (Preoperative, 1 week, and 12 months). Main outcome measures were clinical outcome and comparison of thyroid-related quality of life using the ThyPRO-39hin and swallowing-related quality of life using the SWAL-QoL.

Results: Of the 36 included patients, 20 patients underwent TOETVA and 16 underwent MWA. Both the groups were comparable in terms of demographic and clinicopathological profiles. The nodule volume reduction rate of patients at 12 months after MWA was 75.10% and 100% for TOETVA. The mean preoperative ThyPRO-39hin and SWAL-QoL scores were comparable in all domains between the two groups. Mean ThyPRO-39hin and SWAL-QoL scores on postoperative day 7 were significantly better in the MWA group in domains impaired social life (p < 0.0001) and impaired daily life (p = 0.0002). However, at the end of 12 months, mean ThyPRO-39hin and SWAL-QoL scores became significantly better in the TOETVA group as compared to the MWA group.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy results in significant superior clinical outcome, thyroid-related quality of life, and swallowing-related quality of life in the long term.