The Thyroid Nexus – First Chapter CME, an initiative I had the privilege of organizing, was successfully held on February 9th, 2025, bringing together 69 delegates from various specialties. The event was designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience in thyroid pathology, surgical advancements, and emerging treatment modalities. With the support of Smita Memorial Hospital, United Medical Mission (UMM), the Indian Society of Thyroid Surgeons, and Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI) Malanadu, this CME served as a rich academic platform for surgeons, endocrinologists, and oncologists.
A Day of Insightful Learning
The CME featured a series of expert-led sessions covering everything from thyroid cancer pathology to advanced surgical techniques like Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (TOETVA) and Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy (TORT).
Thyroid Nexus Session Highlights
🔹 Inside the Tumor: A Pathologist’s View of Thyroid Cancers – A deep dive into histopathology, crucial for guiding thyroid cancer management.
🔹 Approach to Thyroid Nodules – Discussing risk stratification, FNAC, and the latest ATA guidelines for evaluation.
🔹 Advanced Thyroid Cancer Management – Covering differentiated, medullary, anaplastic, and locally advanced thyroid cancers, with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches and emerging therapies.
🔹 Role of Nuclear Medicine – Insights into radioactive iodine therapy (RAI), patient selection, and post-treatment monitoring.
🔹 Recent Adjuncts in Thyroid Surgery – A fascinating session discussing Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring (IONM), fluorescence imaging, and Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy (TORT), highlighting how technology is revolutionizing thyroid surgery.
🔹 Surgical Video Demonstrations – Live walkthroughs of thyroidectomy, CCND, and TOETVA, providing delegates with a practical, step-by-step understanding of these procedures.
🔹 Panel Discussion – Experts debated challenging thyroid cases, sharing real-world solutions and best practices.
“How I Do Thyroidectomy” – A Masterclass on Surgical Nuances
As part of the CME, I had the opportunity to present a dedicated session titled “How I Do Thyroidectomy“, where I shared my personal approach and techniques in performing thyroidectomy. This session focused on:
🔹 Step-by-Step Thyroidectomy Technique – A detailed breakdown of each surgical step, ensuring maximum precision and safety.
🔹 Video Demonstration of the Central and Lateral (Backdoor) Approach – Delegates witnessed how different approaches can be tailored based on tumor location, previous surgeries, and anatomical variations.
🔹 Optimizing Nerve and Parathyroid Preservation – Practical tips on avoiding recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and preserving parathyroid function.
🔹 Hemostasis & Dissection Techniques – Discussing strategies to ensure a bloodless field, reduce intraoperative complications, and enhance post-op recovery.
🔹 Fine-Tuning Surgical Outcomes – From incision planning to closure techniques, I emphasized ways to achieve the best cosmetic and functional results for patients.
This session was particularly well-received, as it combined theoretical knowledge with real-life surgical experience, offering a hands-on perspective to attendees. The video demonstration provided a rare opportunity to analyze intricate surgical nuances that often go unnoticed in textbooks. You can watch my session below.
Why This CME Was a Game-Changer
✅ Bridging the Gap Between Theory & Practice – Delegates not only gained theoretical knowledge but also practical surgical insights through video demonstrations and expert discussions.
✅ Scarless Thyroid Surgery – The session on TOETVA and TORT introduced attendees to cutting-edge techniques that enhance cosmetic outcomes while maintaining oncologic safety.
✅ Multidisciplinary Learning – The event fostered collaboration between ENT surgeons, endocrine surgeons, oncologists, and nuclear medicine specialists, ensuring a well-rounded approach to thyroid management.
✅ Networking & Academic Growth – Bringing together experts from leading institutions, the CME created an engaging platform for knowledge-sharing and future collaborations.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Supporters
This event would not have been possible without the support of Smita Memorial Hospital, United Medical Mission, the Indian Society of Thyroid Surgeons, and AOI Malanadu. Their commitment to advancing thyroid care played a crucial role in making this CME a remarkable success.
Looking Ahead
The overwhelming positive response from attendees has set the stage for future Thyroid Nexus CMEs, where we aim to delve deeper into innovative thyroid management strategies and surgical advancements.
I am grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a resounding success. Stay tuned for upcoming events as we continue to push the boundaries of thyroid surgery and research!
📢 If you attended the CME, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your feedback in the comments.