FAQ
Your questions and answers
Why should I consider undergoing ModìLite to treat my nodule?
ModìLite is a safe and micro-invasive treatment, easy to perform, and with very short recovery times. There are no major complications, it is not painful, and more importantly, it does not leave any scars on your neck. No general or local anaesthetic is necessary, or any hospitalisation. With ModìLite the compression symptoms and aesthetic damage disappear and your thyroid function is preserved, without the need for any surgery or life-long drug therapy.
Which nodules can be treated with ModìLite?
ModìLite is indicated in the treatment of solid or mixed benign symptomatic nodules with a repeated cytological diagnosis of benignity and for malignant neck lesions such as metastatic lymph nodes. In this application the treatment is radical, obtaining complete ablation of the lesion
How is the ModìLite treatment performed?
One or two optical fibres are inserted via ultrasound guidance into the nodule through extremely fine gauge needles. The treatment session lasts from 10 to 20 minutes, which is the time required for the heat inside the nodule to destroy the treated tissue. No incisions or stitches are required and the entire session, including the preparation time, takes just 30 minutes.
Do I need to undergo anaesthesia?
Thanks to the extremely fine needles ModìLite is a procedure that does not require either a general or local anaesthetic. At times patients report only slight discomfort when the needles are inserted and a mild sensation of heat during the treatment. If you like, a local anaesthetic can be used but bear in mind that if you maintain the sensitivity of your neck and cooperate with the physician this will increase the safety and correct performance of the treatment.
What are the recovery times?
You can return to your normal activities the very next day after treatment. During the following months you will just need follow-ups of the thyroid function and ultrasounds to evaluate the reduction of nodule volume.
How many sessions will I need?
The effectiveness of ModìLite ensures good results are obtained in one single session. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated without compromising any further therapeutic treatment should this be required.
What kind of results can I expect with ModìLite?
ModìLite causes the disappearance, or in any case the reduction, of the local symptoms due to the compression exerted by the nodule on the surrounding structures, thus contributing to a substantial recovery of your quality of life. With protruding nodules the normal morphology of your neck will be restored with obvious aesthetic benefits. The reduction process of the nodule, which occurs thanks to the body’s natural cellular repair mechanisms, takes a couple of months. In application for malignant lesions, the treatment is radical obtaining complete ablation of the lesion.
Has ModìLite been clinically tested?
Multiple clinical trials have shown the safety and efficacy of ModìLite. As a matter of fact, after a single treatment, ModìLite safely causes a reduction of the nodular volume higher than 50%in the great majority of patients and this reduction remains stable over time*.
*Long-term Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Laser Ablation for Benign Solid Thyroid Nodules. Results of a Three-year Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial – JCEM July 2014
*Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications of Laser Ablation for Thyroid Nodules. A Multicenter Study on 1531 Patients – J Clin Endocrinol Metab.October 2015
Is ModìLite recommended by scientific guidelines?
Yes, Italian, European and American guidelines recommend the use of laser thermal ablation treatment for benign thyroid nodules causing compressive and/or cosmetic concerns to the patient.
Why should I choose ModìLite over other ablative techniques?
Because its effectiveness has been widely demonstrated after a long period of experimentation and its benefits have been evaluated over years in clinical practice. It is estimated that since being launched, approximately 4,000 patients have been treated in Italy with a 10-year follow-up.
Is ModìLite reimbursed?
Yes, in Italy it is reimbursed through National Health System (ask your clinic to find the applicable regional DRG). If you have a private health plan, please verify code and procedure description to be used to claim reimbursement. For example, if you are covered by FASI or FASDAC, you sould make reference respectively to the procedure description “Termoablazione di neoplasie primitive o metastasi” associated with 1622 code or to the procedure description “Termoablazione di noduli tiroidei con laser” associated with 06.31.01 code.
Other costs associated with the procedure may also be reimbursed (e.g.: ultrasound, use of operating theater, part of consumables).
Other costs associated with the procedure may also be reimbursed (e.g.: ultrasound, use of operating theater, part of consumables).