Impact of the introduction of minimally invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) for benign thyroid nodules in an Italian hospital: a cost-minimization analysis

Prevalence of thyroid nodules is high in the adult population, approaching 60% in women and older people. Most thyroid nodules are benign and asymptomatic. However, a not negligible part of them causes compressive symptoms and/or cosmetic concerns and need to be treated. In the last two decades, minimally-invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) have been proposed in routine clinical practice as a reliable cost-effective alternative to surgery in patients with symptomatic benign thyroid nodules (SBTNs).

To perform a cost-minimization analysis comparing direct, indirect and intangible costs of radiofrequency (RFA) and laser thermal ablation (LTA) with traditional surgery in patients with SBTNs.

Data of patients treated by MITT for SBTNs from October 1st 2019 to September 30th 2022 in a single Italian tertiary Center were analyzed. Costs were compared to those of traditional surgery reported in the 2022 Associazione Medici Endocrinologi Guidelines on the Management of SBTNs.

In the study lapse, 157 MITT of SBTNs were performed in 148 patients, 114 females and 34 males (mean age: 59 yrs; median age: 57 yrs). Before MITT, the mean thyroid nodule volume was 19 ml; 1 year after MITT, volume reduction rate >50% and symptom relief were achieved in 89% and 93% of patients, respectively. No major complications occurred. Adding up pre-operative, operative and post-operative costs, total direct costs per single procedure are the following: 1361.43 € for LTA when using one optic fiber; 1761.43 € for LTA when using two optic fibers; 1968.53 € for RFA; 3338.39 € for hemithyroidectomy plus isthmectomy; 4034.99 € for total thyroidectomy. Surgery was impactful on direct—i.e., preoperative, operative and postoperative—costs, due to longer operating room occupation time and hospital stay. Overall, a total saving for the Italian National Health Service of 285,377.15 € has been obtained treating the 148 patients by MITT instead of surgery. Likewise, MITT was advantageous also for indirect costs—i.e., those related to “loss of productivity” caused by time off work due to hospital stay and recovery time—, for both the self-employed workers and the Government, the latter saving 53,838.50 € overall. Finally, intangible costs, related to patients’ quality of life—e.g., residual surgical scar, stress related to general anesthesia, convalescence, and life-long intake of L-Thyroxine replacement therapy—were all in favor of MITT.

This real-life cost-minimization analysis demonstrates that LTA and RFA are safe and cost-effective procedures for the treatment of SBTNs. In our 3 years experience, adding the savings of 285,377.15 € for direct costs to those of 53.838,50 € for indirect costs, in total 339,215.65 € were saved. The saving concern patients, the National Health System and the Government.