Cryoablation
In cryoablation, a temperature as low as -140 degrees is generated around the percutaneous antenna, freezing and destroying the surrounding cells. Cryoablation has been successfully used for many years, especially in the treatment of lung, liver, and kidney tumors. In recent years, it has started to be used as an alternative treatment method for large thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, in place of radiofrequency and microwave ablation.
In cryoablation, after local anesthesia is applied to the neck skin, the cryoablation antenna is inserted into the thyroid nodule and three freezing-heating cycles are applied. That is, the thyroid nodule is frozen and heated three times to cause the thyroid cells to break down and lose their viability. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia. The duration of cryoablation for thyroid nodules typically lasts between 30-40 minutes. The patient can return to normal life 2 hours after the ablation procedure.
Advantages of Cryoablation
- The ablation procedure is performed with local anesthesia, so the patient does not need to undergo general anesthesia.
- No incision scar is left on the neck.
- Since the procedure lasts between 20-40 minutes, the patient can immediately return to daily life.
- The patient does not lose the thyroid gland and will not require lifelong external thyroid hormone support.