Microwave ablation induces a lower systemic stress response in patients than open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules

Objective: In this study, we compared the systemic stress response induced by microwave ablation with that induced by conventional open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules.Methods: A total of 108 patients with benign thyroid nodules were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided thyroid microwave ablation (microwave group, n=57) and conventional open thyroid surgery (open group, n=51). Body temperature, white blood cell (WBC) counts, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, and serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and cortisol were measured at 24h before operation and at 8h, 24h and 48h after operation.Results: No significant between-group differences were observed with respect to preoperative body temperature, VAS scores, WBC counts, serum hs-CRP, IL-6 and cortisol levels. Patients in the open group exhibited higher body temperature at 24h after operation and higher WBC counts at both 24h and 48h after operation, as compared to those in the microwave group. As compared with microwave ablation, open surgery was associated with significantly higher VAS scores, and significantly higher serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and cortisol at all postoperative time-points (8h, 24h and 48h).Conclusion: Microwave ablation induces a lower systemic stress response than open surgery for treatment of benign thyroid nodules.