Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

Nursing

Department/Program

Physician Assistant Graduate Program

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-26-2023

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, cost, and time of thermal ablation techniques versus a thyroidectomy for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods: This research was conducted using EBSCO Host, PubMed, the American Thyroid Association, and NYU Langone Health. 15 studies were reviewed that met the defined criteria. Types of studies included were metanalyses/systemic reviews, retrospective studies, case presentations, and prospective randomized studies. Primary endpoints include efficacy, safety, cost, and time.

Results: For benign nodules, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has advantages over a thyroidectomy due to it being effective, minimally invasive, safe, economical, and cosmetically appealing. For malignant nodules, RFA is seen to be effective for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer only. Regarding the type of ablation technique, RFA is considered superior due to greater efficacy and reoccurrence rates.

Conclusions: RFA is an effective, safe, and low-cost alternative to a thyroidectomy for benign nodules and low risk papillary thyroid cancer.

Keywords: benign thyroid nodules, malignant thyroid nodules, thyroid nodule treatment, thyroidectomy, endoscopic thyroidectomy, ablation techniques, and radiofrequency ablation.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Emily has special interest in the areas of endocrinology and general surgery. She plans on working in either specialty following graduation. She is a student member of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) as well as the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Student Society (VUPASS). She will be presenting on the “Comparison of Thermal Ablation and Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Nodules” because it combines her interests of endocrinology and general surgery.

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