Objective      To investigate the safety

procedure and short-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided laser ablation (LA) for benign thyroid nodule.       Methods      The clinical data of 48 patients with benign thyroid nodules receiving ultrasound-guided LA from September 2014 to May 2015 in our hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The treatment time

number of ablation procedure

total output energy

thyroid function

and intra- and post-operative complications and follow-up results were observed.       Results       All the 48 patients underwent the ultrasound-guided LA treatment successfully. The mean number of ablation needles was 1.5±1.2 (1 to 4)

the mean operation time was 23.3±15.8 (15 to 40) min

and the total laser output energy was 2 225±1 875 (800 to 7 200) J. No nervous

tracheal

esophageal and blood vessel damages

skin burns and other complications occurred. Ultrasound examination in 1 and 3 months after operation indicated that thyroid nodule volume was significantly reduced compared with preoperative size (P0.05)

and the blood flow signal in the nodules disappeared. During the operation

all patients have local slight tolerable pain

but 46 of them were relieved without any processing

and the other 2 complained of the continuous pain

which was ameliorated or totally relieved after appropriate treatment. The thyroid function had no significant changes before and in 1 and 3 months after treatment (P0.05).       Conclusion      Ultrasound-guided LA is a safe

effective and mini-invasive treatment for benign thyroid nodules

and without adverse effect on thyroid function. It is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.