Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules
Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly accepted as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. However, the learning curve of thyroid RFA has yet to be defined. We hypothesized a temporal relationship between proficiency of the skill and...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Hyperthermia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02656736.2021.1993358 |
| _version_ | 1819319803068809216 |
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| author | Chi-Yu Kuo Chien-Liang Liu Chung-Hsin Tsai Shih-Ping Cheng |
| author_facet | Chi-Yu Kuo Chien-Liang Liu Chung-Hsin Tsai Shih-Ping Cheng |
| author_sort | Chi-Yu Kuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly accepted as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. However, the learning curve of thyroid RFA has yet to be defined. We hypothesized a temporal relationship between proficiency of the skill and midterm volume reduction. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent RFA and had at least a six-month follow-up were identified from an institutional database. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was applied to visualize the learning curve on the adjusted volume reduction rate (VRR). Results A total of 102 nodules in 93 patients were included in the analysis. Linear regression revealed that nodule composition was the main predictor of the VRR. The composition-adjusted VRR increased with the chronological treatment order. The series was divided into three phases based on inflection points of the CUSUM analysis: the initial learning phase (case 1–20), consolidation phase (case 21–65), and proficiency phase (case 66–102). In the later phase, more solid nodules were treated, power output used by the operator was higher, and RFA treatment time was longer. Conclusion The treatment efficiency of thyroid RFA was associated with technical proficiency, suggesting the presence of a learning curve effect. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T11:09:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f14412742294d60be0014da16f0df9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0265-6736 1464-5157 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T11:09:29Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Hyperthermia |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f14412742294d60be0014da16f0df9c2022-12-21T16:58:32ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Hyperthermia0265-67361464-51572021-01-013811536154010.1080/02656736.2021.19933581993358Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodulesChi-Yu Kuo0Chien-Liang Liu1Chung-Hsin Tsai2Shih-Ping Cheng3Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical CollegeDepartment of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical CollegeDepartment of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical CollegeDepartment of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical CollegeBackground Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly accepted as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. However, the learning curve of thyroid RFA has yet to be defined. We hypothesized a temporal relationship between proficiency of the skill and midterm volume reduction. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent RFA and had at least a six-month follow-up were identified from an institutional database. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was applied to visualize the learning curve on the adjusted volume reduction rate (VRR). Results A total of 102 nodules in 93 patients were included in the analysis. Linear regression revealed that nodule composition was the main predictor of the VRR. The composition-adjusted VRR increased with the chronological treatment order. The series was divided into three phases based on inflection points of the CUSUM analysis: the initial learning phase (case 1–20), consolidation phase (case 21–65), and proficiency phase (case 66–102). In the later phase, more solid nodules were treated, power output used by the operator was higher, and RFA treatment time was longer. Conclusion The treatment efficiency of thyroid RFA was associated with technical proficiency, suggesting the presence of a learning curve effect.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02656736.2021.1993358learning curvecusumradiofrequency ablationvolume reduction ratethyroid nodules |
| spellingShingle | Chi-Yu Kuo Chien-Liang Liu Chung-Hsin Tsai Shih-Ping Cheng Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules International Journal of Hyperthermia learning curve cusum radiofrequency ablation volume reduction rate thyroid nodules |
| title | Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| title_full | Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| title_fullStr | Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| title_short | Learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| title_sort | learning curve analysis of radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules |
| topic | learning curve cusum radiofrequency ablation volume reduction rate thyroid nodules |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02656736.2021.1993358 |
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