AI Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed the cost-effectiveness of routine intraoperative frozen section (FS) examinations during thyroid surgery for patients with benign or indeterminate thyroid nodules.
- Out of 169 patients evaluated, FS successfully identified malignancy in 16 cases, allowing for total thyroidectomies and avoiding further surgeries.
- The routine use of FS examinations resulted in a total cost savings of $3719.27 across the patient population, indicating its value in the healthcare system despite not accounting for other emotional or indirect costs.
Article Abstract
Objective: To perform a cost analysis of the routine intraoperative frozen section (FS) examinations in the management of patients undergoing thyroid surgery for unilateral thyroid nodules with benign or indeterminate cytology on preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs).
Method: A retrospective chart review of 190 consecutive patients with unilateral thyroid nodules undergoing thyroid surgery was undertaken between March 2006 and March 2008. The results of FNAB, FS, and final histology were obtained from the pathology report. A cost analysis was performed to compare the cost of routine FS examinations to determine malignancy with the cost of performing a second surgical procedure.
Results: Of the 169 patients evaluated, there were 53 cases of malignant nodules. Malignancy was diagnosed by FS in 16 of these 53 cases, resulting in a total thyroidectomy and thereby avoiding the need for a completion thyroidectomy. The sensitivity and specificity of FS examination were 30.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The routine use of intraoperative FS examination in cases of benign or indeterminate nodules afforded a total cost savings of $3719.27, or a cost savings of $22.01 per patient.
Conclusion: FS examination was useful in guiding our intraoperative management for patients with unilateral thyroid nodules with benign or indeterminate preoperative FNAB. The routine use of FS was cost-effective in our Canadian health care system, even without considering the intangible costs, such as patients' anxiety, emotional stress, and the loss of productivity owing to a second surgical procedure.
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