Groote Schuur Hospital has performed what is believed to be Africa’s first microwave thyroid ablation procedure in the public health sector.
The procedure, carried out on 26 August, offers selected patients with troublesome thyroid nodules a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery. Using ultrasound guidance, doctors insert a thin probe into the nodule and use microwave energy to destroy the targeted tissue, which then gradually shrinks.
The treatment could mean shorter recovery times, less invasive care and the preservation of healthy thyroid tissue.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness says the procedure could also reduce pressure on operating theatres, hospital beds and postoperative services, while expanding access to advanced treatment in the public sector.
