A prospective study evaluating the use of low-dose intravenous sedation and analgesia during radiofrequency ablation of symptomatic, benign thyroid nodules

Abstract

Background: We compared post-treatment pain, quality of recovery and complications between those who did not receive (Group I) and received (Group II) intravenous low-dose Midazolam (<0.05 mg/kg) and Pethidine (<0.5 mg/kg) during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules. Methods: Both groups received local anesthesia. Post-treatment pain was rated by a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS). The Quality-of-Recovery-9 (QoR9) questionnaire was completed upon discharge. Results: Each group included 25 patients. Baseline characteristics were comparable (p > 0.05). Group II had lower pain NRS than group I both immediately (0 (0–3.5) vs. 4 (3–5), p = 0.002) and 4 h after RFA (2 (0.5–4) vs 3.5 (2–5), p = 0.031). There were no differences in complications and QoR9 score (Group I: 15 (13–17) vs Group II: 16 (14–18), p = 0.254). Both groups were discharged within the same day. Conclusion: Low dose intravenous sedation improved pain control without affecting recovery or safety in thyroid RFA.