The General Hospital of Castellón has become the first center in the province to apply radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of large benign thyroid nodules. This innovation allows the procedure to be performed on an outpatient basis, thus avoiding hospital admission and conventional surgery.
The technique is indicated for patients experiencing compressive symptoms due to benign solid thyroid nodules measuring between 3 and 6 centimeters, which can cause issues such as difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or a feeling of choking. Unlike traditional surgery, which requires general anesthesia and at least one day of hospitalization, thermoablation is performed without admission, and patients can return home a few hours later.
Dr. Ángel Merchante, head of the Endocrinology Service, explains that patients can be discharged between two and three hours after the procedure, following a period of observation in the day hospital and a control ultrasound. This scan assesses the technique's effectiveness and confirms the patient's suitability for same-day discharge.
The aim of thermoablation is to reduce nodule volume through coagulative necrosis. According to Dr. Merchante, the technique achieves an average reduction of 80% in the lesion's external volume, alleviating compressive symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life. In addition to avoiding surgery and hospitalization, the procedure minimizes physical impact and promotes faster recovery.
It is estimated that this new technique will benefit approximately 30 patients annually, optimizing surgical resources and time for other procedures. The Endocrinology Service at the General de Castellón has been a reference unit for minimally invasive thyroid techniques since 2017.
By adopting radiofrequency ablation, the hospital positions itself as a leading center in this specialty within the province and joins four other Valencian hospitals that have recently implemented it, thereby expanding its service portfolio.
