The groundbreaking surgery marks a milestone for the country’s healthcare system, introducing a less invasive alternative to conventional thyroid surgery.

The procedure was performed on a female patient diagnosed with a benign thyroid nodule who had initially been scheduled for traditional surgery requiring general anesthesia, hospitalization, and a visible neck incision, with potential risks to her thyroid function.

Instead, doctors used microwave ablation, a minimally invasive technique that involves inserting a probe through the skin to generate heat and shrink the thyroid nodule. The 60-minute outpatient procedure was performed under local anesthesia and left no visible scar. The patient experienced immediate recovery and was able to return home within hours.

“This technological advancement allows us to provide safer, less invasive treatments with faster recovery times, greatly improving patients' quality of life,” said Dr. Tania Jiménez Umaña, director of the Calderón Guardia Hospital.

Microwave ablation works by producing heat within tissue to destroy targeted cells applied to the thyroid to manage non-cancerous but symptomatic nodules. In contrast to conventional thyroid surgery, the microwave method reduces risks such as nerve damage, long-term hormone replacement therapy, and scarring.

For patients with benign thyroid nodules, the benefits of microwave ablation are significant. The procedure typically lasts about an hour, does not require general anesthesia or hospitalization, and enables patients to quickly return to normal activities.

The Social Security system also recently highlighted Costa Rica’s growing role as a regional leader in high-tech medicine, following another innovation in mechanical heart surgery.

CCSS is the state-run organization responsible for the country's public health sector.

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What steps could Costa Rica’s Social Security take to expand microwave ablation treatments to all public hospitals nationwide?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com