PHILADELPHIA, PA — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has reached a significant milestone by performing its 1,000th pediatric thyroid surgery. The procedure, a total thyroidectomy, was completed in February by CHOP’s renowned Pediatric Thyroid Center team, marking a significant achievement in its mission to provide cutting-edge, specialized care for children and adolescents.
N. Scott Adzick, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief at CHOP, led the three-hour surgery on 19-year-old Caitlin Skavinsky, who was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a condition causing hyperthyroidism, at the age of 12. The surgery involved removing the thyroid gland, requiring Skavinsky to begin lifelong thyroid replacement therapy.
“Our highly skilled team now performs 60-70 surgeries each year while also providing comprehensive evaluation and ongoing care for hundreds of patients,” said Dr. Adzick. “Achieving this milestone highlights the team’s vast expertise and the trust families place in us to deliver the highest level of care, which is something we never take for granted.”
Founded in 2010, CHOP’s Pediatric Thyroid Center is among the busiest and most advanced of its kind in the U.S. It specializes in treating conditions such as thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, and genetic syndromes affecting the thyroid gland. The Center’s unique focus on pediatric cases ensures treatments are tailored specifically to younger patients, addressing the distinct ways thyroid conditions manifest in children.
A hallmark of CHOP’s approach is its use of bedside ultrasound during outpatient visits, allowing for non-invasive, radiation-free evaluations. This advanced technology provides real-time insights, enabling rapid diagnoses and treatment planning. Since its inception, CHOP has performed fine needle aspiration (FNA) on more than 720 patients, with a malignancy detection rate exceeding 50%.
Meticulous surgical planning ensures most patients require only one procedure, minimizing the need for additional interventions. “Research shows that post-operative success rates in pediatric thyroid patients, particularly children who require a thyroidectomy, correlate with an institution’s patient volume,” said Andrew Bauer, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and medical director of the Center. “Having a team with extensive experience makes a major difference in the outcome and lives of our patients and their families.”
Looking ahead, CHOP is leveraging technology to advance thyroid treatment further, with ongoing initiatives that include integrating artificial intelligence for early detection of high-risk nodules, exploring non-surgical treatments, and pioneering scarless thyroid surgery techniques. Researchers are also evaluating targeted therapies for thyroid cancers that have metastasized to other areas.
For Skavinsky, the impact of CHOP’s care is life-changing. Now focusing on her studies at Montgomery County Community College, she’s optimistic about her future. “This surgery has been lifechanging for me,” she shared. “It has given me the confidence and freedom to live my best life.”
CHOP’s Pediatric Thyroid Center continues to set a benchmark for excellence, reaffirming its commitment to improving outcomes for children and the families who rely on its expertise.
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