Laser treatment of thyroid nodules
Laser thermal ablation destroys a benign thyroid nodule with a thin probe through the skin — without surgery, without a scar on the neck and without lifelong hormone therapy. The procedure is outpatient, under local anaesthesia, and takes 30–60 minutes. We are the first institution in Croatia to offer this method.
How does laser thermal ablation work?
Under ultrasound guidance, a thin laser probe is introduced into the nodule through the skin. The laser energy heats and precisely destroys only the nodule tissue, while the surrounding healthy thyroid remains intact and functional. The body then gradually breaks down the treated tissue, so the nodule shrinks over the following months.
The method is intended for benign nodules — before the procedure, this is confirmed by an ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) at our Thyroid Centre.
Four reasons to choose the laser over surgery.
No surgical incisions
A thin laser probe instead of a scalpel — minimal scarring, a cosmetically acceptable result.
Outpatient
The procedure takes 30–60 minutes; back to everyday life within 1–2 days.
The thyroid preserved
No lifelong hormone replacement therapy — the gland's function is preserved.
90% improvement
Patients experience a significant reduction in nodule size after just one treatment.
Laser vs. conventional surgery.
The same diagnosis, two very different experiences for the patient.
Conventional surgery
- A surgical incision and general anaesthesia
- Removal of all or part of the gland
- A permanent scar on the neck
- Risk of nerve damage — voice changes, difficulty swallowing
- Often lifelong hormone therapy
- A hospital stay and a longer recovery
Laser ablation
- A thin needle, local anaesthesia
- Destroys only the nodule tissue
- No visible scar
- Preserved thyroid function
- Outpatient, back in 1–2 days
Five steps.
- Korak 01
Examination & ultrasound
A detailed clinical examination and thyroid ultrasound to assess the nodule.
- Korak 02
Blood tests
Assessment of the thyroid hormone status (TSH, T3, T4, antibodies).
- Korak 03
Fine-needle biopsy
If needed — a cytological aspiration to confirm the nodule is benign.
- Korak 04
Laser ablation
Laser thermal ablation under local anaesthesia, lasting ~30–60 minutes.
- Korak 05
Follow-up
An ultrasound check-up after several months to assess the nodule's shrinkage.
The nodule shrinks, the thyroid remains.
Around 90% of patients experience a significant reduction in nodule size after just one treatment, without any hormone therapy.
22.2×11.7 mm
A benign nodule confirmed by ultrasound and FNA — a candidate for laser thermal ablation.
18×10 mm
The body gradually breaks down the treated nodule tissue — the shrinkage is already visible.
7.5×4.2 mm ↓ > 60%
The nodule has shrunk by more than 60%. Thyroid hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4) are in the normal range — no replacement therapy.
Stories from practice.
Patients share their experience of laser treatment of thyroid nodules (in Croatian).
A preserved and healthy thyroid.
As the first institution in Croatia to offer this method, we have shown that a thyroid nodule no longer has to mean surgery. The goal is not just to remove the nodule — but to preserve the gland that regulates your entire metabolism. After laser ablation, the thyroid continues to work naturally, without replacement therapy.
Everything begins with diagnostics.
You become a candidate for laser ablation after a high-resolution ultrasound and, if needed, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) confirming the nodule is benign — all in one place at our Thyroid Centre.
The most common questions about laser treatment.
Does laser ablation of a thyroid nodule hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, and most patients feel only slight pressure. It is outpatient and takes 30–60 minutes.
Do I have to take hormone therapy after laser treatment?
No. Laser thermal ablation destroys only the nodule tissue and preserves the rest of the gland, so there is no need for lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
How long is recovery after laser thyroid ablation?
The procedure is outpatient — most patients return to everyday activities within 1–2 days, without a visible scar on the neck.
Which thyroid nodules can be treated with the laser?
The method is intended for benign nodules confirmed by ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Suspicious or malignant changes require a different approach.
How does the laser differ from conventional thyroid surgery?
Conventional surgery removes all or part of the gland through an incision in the neck and often means lifelong hormone therapy. The laser destroys only the nodule with a thin needle, without an incision and with the thyroid's function preserved.
Dr. Zoran Kranjčec
ENT specialist · subspecialist in head and neck plastic surgery · founder of Poliklinika Kranjčec
Dr. Kranjčec leads the patient's entire journey — from a high-resolution ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to the laser thermal ablation itself. The emphasis is on preserving the gland's function and avoiding unnecessary surgery. As a pioneer of this method in Croatia, he is the first specialist to introduce laser thermal ablation of thyroid nodules into clinical practice.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Zoran Kranjčec, ENT specialist · Content last reviewed:
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