To assess the prevalence of complications specifically from laser ablation (LA) for benign solid thyroid nodules and their management.
Key Findings:
Overall complications prevalence was 23% (CI, 17%-30%, I2 93.7%).
Minor complications prevalence was 21% (CI, 15%-27%, I2 93.7%).
Major complications prevalence was 2% (CI, 1%-3%, I2 54.0%).
Pooled prevalence of local pain was 15% (CI, 12%-20%, I2 89.3%), typically mild to moderate.
Dysphonia prevalence was 2% (CI, 1%-2%, I2 30.3%), mostly transient.
Interpretation:
LA for benign noncystic thyroid nodules is generally safe, with major complications being rare.
Limitations:
Quality of included studies was judged as fair, which may affect the reliability of the findings.
High heterogeneity in complication rates (I2 values) suggests variability in study results.
Lack of registration for the systematic review and meta-analysis may limit transparency.
Conclusion:
LA is a valuable and generally safe treatment option for symptomatic benign thyroid nodules, with manageable complications and major complications being rare.
by Lorenzo Scappaticcio, Nicole Di Martino, Pamela Ferrazzano, Maria Ida Maiorino, Paola Caruso, Alessandra Volatile, Miriam Longo, Giovanni Docimo, Eduardo Iervolino, Pierpaolo Trimboli, Katherine Esposito, Giuseppe Bellastella
Most surgeons reported using intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring, but approaches to imaging and intraoperative criteria varied, particularly in secondary and tertiary disease
