"For years I have had a benign thyroid nodule that suddenly grew significantly. I was fortunately referred to Mr. Dudeck by my radiologist at the time, as he heard about the possibility of thermoablation at a specialist congress.
The first appointment with Mr. Dudeck at Hirslanden Hospital was extremely positive for me. I felt I was in very good hands with him and his assistant. I was convinced that the decision for a thermoablation was the only right one for me.
The thermoablation was performed extremely competently by Mr. Dudeck and his team. After the procedure, an improvement in my symptoms was noticeable every day.
I always found the follow-up appointments to be very professional and trustworthy, which gave me confidence.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Dudeck. I hope that many patients will learn about the possibility of thermoablation and thus, if necessary, a removal of a thyroid gland can be avoided."
S.H. from Zurich
"I was pleasantly surprised by the almost painless procedure and the pleasant, relaxed atmosphere - a big thank you!"
S.E. from Zurich
"In 2006 I was diagnosed with 2 thyroid nodules. A larger nodule on the right side of the thyroid gland and a smaller one on the left side. The larger nodule could be seen from the outside so that I only went out on the street wearing a scarf.
I went to several doctors and they advised me to have a complete thyroid gland removal.
Knowing how important this organ is for the whole body, I refused and every year I had a follow-up with the great hope that one day I would find a doctor who would remove only the nodes. One day in 2018 my ENT called me and told me about the Hirslandenklinik and he would refer me to Prof. Dudeck.
I am very grateful to him for that and a big heartfelt thank you to Prof. Dudeck, I can strongly recommend microablation. This type is very gentle, only the nodes are removed and no scar remains. It is an almost painless procedure. A very warm thank you also to his lovely staff for the loving support during the procedure. Today 2021 and since the operation you can't see anything from the outside, no lumps, no scar, as if there had never been anything and I can leave my scarf in the closet. The most important thing is that my organ, the thyroid gland, was preserved by this unique method.
Many thanks to all for the successful treatment. This treatment is very valuable. I can only recommend you.
Thank you very much, it cannot be said enough. It's nice that this method exists."
V.S. from Riehen BS
"I am 59 years old. I woke up one morning 3 months ago, August 2020, with a lump on my neck. After many tests, I was diagnosed with benign thyroid nodules. I consulted 2 surgents who agreed that the only solution was surgical removal of the whole thyroid gland. The night before the operation, I googled my condition and by mere coincide discovered that there is another way to remove the nodules without an invasive surgery, and here the miracle occurred.
I found doctor Dudeck with his beautiful smile. I read his article on thermal ablation and felt so happy that I might be able to save the thyroid glad and will not have to depend on medications for the rest of my life. I contacted doctor Dudeck who was very gracious in his email and asked me to send him my tests and sonar. He gave me a consultation appointment in Zurich after one month. After a long journey from Cairo , I finally met doctor Dudeck. I immediately felt that I am in safe hands. He welcomed me with great warmth and was able to remove all my fear with his great sense of humor. He then did the sonar and performed the ablation the next morning, which was almost painless. I didn't even need pain medication. The next morning I was back to normal , ready for a new day with no thyroid issue. I feel reborn."
Rawya from Egypt
Patient update after the 1-year control:
"For years I have had a benign thyroid nodule (incidental finding), which suddenly grew strongly in 2018. At the beginning of 2019, I was fortunately referred to you by my treating radiologist at the time, as he heard about the possibility of thermal ablation at a specialist congress.
My first appointment with you at the Hirslanden hospital was extremely positive for me. I felt that I was in very good hands with you and your assistant. I was convinced that the decision to undergo thermal ablation was the only right one for me. The psychological stress and other restrictions were no longer acceptable for me.
The thermoablation in May 2019 was carried out by you and your team with great competence. I have always felt very well because of your care. After the procedure, I felt a daily improvement in my symptoms.
Now in May 2020, exactly one year after the procedure, I can draw a completely positive conclusion, which was also confirmed by the annual check-up at your clinic:
- The lump is now only minimal (hardly feelable).
- The psychological stress is completely gone.
- I do not have any complaints.
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart that this subject is now "closed" for me. I hope that many patients will learn about the possibility of thermal ablation and thus, at best, the removal of a thyroid gland can be avoided.
Best wishes."
S. H. from Zurich
"A few years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple nodules. They were not very big and did not grow very fast, so I did not do anything else for the time being. A few years later the time had come: the nodules became knots and therefore it was visible from the outside. I had got a goiter. My doctor advised me to have the thyroid gland surgically removed.
However, as I am very afraid of surgery and I do not like having parts cut out of my body that are still usable. Another unpleasant side effect of a general anaesthetic is that I cannot really tolerate it, the vomiting and nausea afterwards are terrible and also painful. Furthermore, I did not want to take pills for the rest of my life, i.e. for life. Therefore I decided to go for thermoablation and contacted Prof. Dudeck. One year after the procedure I went to my doctor for a check-up, I must say that I am from Germany, I wanted my doctor, who advised me to have a surgical procedure, to see with his own eyes how simple, uncomplicated and effective this kind of removal of nodes in the thyroid gland is. My doctor was very enthusiastic about the result, the blood values are optimal, the thyroid gland is fully functional, the goiter is gone ,I don't have to take any tablets for life, I don't have a scar on my neck and I feel completely well. Also for this many thanks Prof. Dudeck. I would like this method to become better known worldwide, so that nobody has to go under the knife because of benign thyroid nodules. Once again, my sincere thanks to all involved for the successful treatment and the pleasant stay."
H.B. from Germany
"I am a 48-year-old woman with two children. In June 2018 I was diagnosed with a 4cm thyroid knot. After various examinations I was recommended to remove the knot surgically, which would have the consequence that the right healthy thyroid lobe would also be removed. This diagnosis made me very insecure. I did not want to resign myself to removing healthy tissue and changing my well functioning endocrine system. There must be an alternative. Fortunately, I myself came across the method of thermal ablation on the Internet. The advantages of this procedure convinced me immediately; surgery without scars, without anesthesia and above all preservation of the function of the thyroid gland. After contacting the Centre for Microtherapy by telephone, I was given an appointment with Prof. Oliver Dudeck shortly afterwards. He explained the thermoablation to me competently and understandingly and carried out the necessary clarifications. I could hardly believe my luck when he gave the green light for the minimally invasive treatment of the knot. The procedure went absolutely smoothly and without pain. After 3 months the ultrasound examination showed a 54% reduction of the knot and the thyroid gland values are still normal. I can only recommend a thermal ablation and I am very grateful to Prof. Dudeck and Mrs. Schilken for the competent care."
A.R. from the Canton of Zurich
"Rescue at the last second:
As with almost all patients here, I was advised by the doctors to remove my healthy thyroid gland because a large lump had formed. The risk of cancer would be extremely high...
I had to fight for half a year. Unsettled by the diagnosis, the doctors and the surgeons. Fear of making the wrong decision and yet you have a certain responsibility with two children... My rescue was Mr Oliver Dudeck. By his friendly and empathetic nature, he convinced me with his method and it was the best decision in my life!!! No more pain and no more visible knots. There are no words for this gratitude, it is a gift...
Thank you very much for your great work!!! "
A.C. from Schongau
"After a complicated "classic" thyroid surgery (hemithyroidectomy) - removal of the left thyroid lobe - I was looking for an alternative treatment for the existing nodes in the remaining right part of the thyroid gland.
Due to a publication in the Hirslanden patient magazine ....... I became aware of the thermal ablation procedure.
During a first consultation with Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Dudeck, the suitability of the existing nodes for thermal ablation was confirmed.
The following minimally invasive intervention by the well-rehearsed team with Prof. Dudeck and Mrs. Schilken went absolutely smoothly and in a very pleasant environment.
An initial check - 3 months after successful thermal ablation - showed a volume reduction of 69% in the treated node. A phenomenal result!
Thus I can say that I am extremely satisfied with the result of the thermal ablation and can only recommend this form of treatment if there is a suitable starting condition. A "grazcha fich" from the Upper Engadine!"
R.F., from Zürich
"I am a 33-year-old, sporty and working woman. A few months ago I discovered a bleeding cyst in my thyroid gland overnight, which caused me pain and also disturbed me cosmetically. After a first specialist advised me intensively to have my benign lump and my cyst operated out in the form of a thyroid gland removal, I obtained a second opinion from Prof. Dudeck, contrary to the advice of the other specialist mentioned and on my own research (including Google). This second opinion has been worthwhile for me in so far as I had a thermal ablation carried out in April 2019 and now the knot has almost disappeared after 3 months and therefore no cyst can bleed in any more. The payment by health insurance was no problem. For me this operation was more than worthwhile and I can only advise it, always under the condition of the benignity of the thyroid gland nodes/cysts. Within 3 days I was fit again and the procedure was not painful and the stay in the Hirslandenklinik was very pleasant. As a patient, you sometimes have to take care of yourself and not listen to an old-fashioned initial opinion. Here again a big thank you to Prof. Dudeck and the good soul in the form of his assistant Mrs. Schilken".
E.L. from Eastern Switzerland
"I was first diagnosed with a small (smaller than 3cm in length) asymptomatic non-cancerous thyroid nodule in 2013, when I was 28. My endocrinologist hinted that surgery would most likely be required, but advised to monitor the situation.
We noticed in 2017 that the nodule had grown substantially. It was close to 4.5 cm in length, and mostly cystic. I was redirected to a surgeon who assured me that I had no other options than an hemithyroidectomy. I was unpleased, so I sought additional advice.
Between 2017 and early 2019 I met best-in-class specialists (endocrinologists and surgeons) in Singapore and Germany who all advised me to have me operated. Sadly, none of them knew that Thermo-Ablation was a viable option.
The idea of an operation concerned me highly. I did not want to bear the risks and the pain of a delicate procedure, or eliminate healthy tissue and take the risk to alter my otherwise well-functioning endocrine system.
At my worst (with a cystic nodule no less than 70ccm in volume, c. 5cm in length) as I was about to schedule an hemithyroidectomy, I entered in contact (on my own initiative) with the Centre for Microtherapy at Hirslanden.
I was lucky to be admitted rapidly and handled fast. I had my cystic nodule drained and handled by thermo-ablation in the following weeks.
The discomfort during the procedure was anecdotal. Hours after the intervention, my neck was visibly flat again (my cyst had been drained). Three months in, the nodule is gone (1.7ccm left, still shrinking) and my healthy tissues are still there, well-functioning.
Thermo-Ablation was a game-changer for me, as well as an immense relief."
A.M. from Zürich
"Hello, Dr. Dudeck.
Thank you very much for shrinking my neck knot by thermal ablation. After only 3 months the knot has shrunk by an incredible 74%. You can hardly see anything anymore. I am more than just grateful. That was the best decision in my life. Thanks a lot for that."
D.T. from Zurich
"Dear Dr. Dudeck.
Dear Mrs. Schilken
I would like to thank you again for the pleasant, competent and trust inspiring consultation and treatment in your practice.
The painless, uncomplicated thermal ablation of my thyroid node in March brought me relief from my swallowing problems and the permanent clearing of the throat immediately after the operation. Now, in July, the lump has become considerably smaller and the thyroid gland values are normal.
Since other doctors have always advised me to only perform surgical removal, I am extremely grateful that Dr. Dudeck has carried out this minimally invasive procedure so competently and successfully."
E.L. from Glattfelden
"Dear Prof. Dr. Dudek,
Dear Mrs. Schilken,
After my thermal ablation of the thyroid node at the end of February 2019, I now had the 1st control in May 2019 and we were all very satisfied with the visible result of the shrinkage. I am very enthusiastic about the process of the thermoablation, whereby I had felt nothing, in addition, nothing at all, since I let myself put into a short sleep. Prof. Dr. Dudek and the assistant of Mrs. Schilken had given me the feeling of being *very well looked after*, you can only say a great team. I had no complaints or impairments during the thermal ablation and also now after 4 months. Only one thing I can say about this is that I should have had it done much earlier, but I only became aware of this painless procedure through a health TV show. In the past, I was recommended by various medical specialists to have the visible lump removed surgically, but this would be again an operation, I was disturbed by it. Since I have a hereditary predisposition to the thyroid gland and I did not want to take any other lifelong medication, my decision to have this operation performed was completely correct. I would do this again at any time and will also do this on the right thyroid gland at the possible size. I have already passed on my recommendation for this procedure to my sister, who is already in contact with Prof. Dr. Dudeck regarding the procedure.
Thank you very much and with kind regards!
U. E. from Winkel
"Dear Mr. Prof. Dr. Oliver Dudeck.
Dear Mrs. Schilken.
We thank you for the first follow-up on May 13th 2019. The really very good results of this first control, as well as the laboratory results (TSH, fT3 and fT4), of course make us happy and very satisfied! Therefore we would like to thank you once again for the successful treatment of Mrs. A.A.
We are very glad that you - in the HIRSLANDEN CLINIC - were able to preserve A.A.'s thyroid gland with the method of thermal ablation."
A.A. & R.A. from Zurich
"Good day Mr. Dudeck.
I would like to thank you very much for the very competent execution of my thermal ablation on May 2nd. I felt very comfortable due to your care.
I would be pleased to inform you about the progress so far. Every day an improvement of the now mentioned symptoms is noticeable:
- the pain is almost completely gone (only to feel with certain movements)
- hormonal symptoms decrease (very strong sweating, nausea, mood swings)
Thank you very much once again."
H.H. from Zurich
"Dear Mr. Dr. Dudeck.
Thank you very much for your wonderful work on my neck. There is only little left to see of the "ball". Also Mrs. Schilken thank you very much for your assistance. It was really fun to be allowed to watch the operation with you two kind people."
P.-S., H. from St. Gallen
"In the summer of 2018, I had two thyroid nodules. After an examination in the hospital, I was suggested that I be treated surgically, which would mean that I would have to take tablets for the rest of my life. I actually wanted to get around that and got smart on the Internet. I came across the website of Prof. Dr. O. Dudeck of Hirslanden Zurich, where it is described that thermoablation largely eliminates the nodules and that there is no need to take any medication afterwards. So I got a second opinion from Prof. Dr. O. Dudeck and after the examination and a detailed conversation I immediately registered with him and got an appointment immediately. The operation was at the end of October 2018. I had no pain and could even talk to the doctor during the operation. I then had to stay overnight in the hospital for a check-up and was able to leave the hospital the next morning at 10.00 a.m.. After 3 months, i.e. at the end of January 2019, I had to go for a follow-up check. The smaller knot was no longer visible and the larger one shrank by 75% and after one year it should have disappeared. Fortunately, I don't have any more complaints. In summary, I can only recommend thermal ablation on my part. I am very happy and grateful that I have chosen this path and I would like to thank Prof. Dr. O. Dudeck and his friendly team."
E.H., Bichelsee
"In May 2017, a clearly visible thyroid nodule measuring about four centimeters was discovered on the left side of my thyroid gland and a smaller nodule and a cyst filled with fluid on the right side. However, a blood sample showed that I did not suffer from either hypothyroidism or hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. The endocrinologist I consulted advised me to have the entire thyroid gland removed. And to do so before the nodules were examined for potential malignancy. Since I am a single mother of two small children, this diagnosis posed a big problem for me, as the removal of the thyroid gland is associated with risks such as loss of voice as well as the lifelong intake of hormones, which have to be continually adjusted and, above all, requires an initial hospital stay of several weeks. I looked into the findings and found out that there is a newer treatment method of thermal ablation aimed at destroying the nodules by heating. Prof. Dudeck is the first doctor in Switzerland to perform this treatment in Hirslanden in Zurich. Prof. Dudeck reacted very quickly after I contacted him and analyzed the nodules for thermal ablation feasibility as well as whether the nodules were malignant. I received his positive diagnosis within a very short time. He then performed the thermal ablation sometime later. It lasted only a short time and did not cause any pain. He and his team took fantastic care of me. I felt very well again immediately after the surgery and had no side or late effects. I was able to go back home to my children the next day. The ablated large nodule is hardly visible anymore, the small nodule has completely disappeared. The follow-up examination with Prof. Dudeck showed that the larger nodule will shrink further. I assume that it won't be visible much longer. My thyroid functions normally.
I am amazed by the results of Prof. Dudeck. Without him, I would have lost my actually functioning thyroid gland along with its potential risks and lifelong medication. Instead, I'm fine and my health is completely restored. I am incredibly happy and grateful for the help I have received from Prof. Dudeck."
D.B., Zurich
"We (my husband and I) are thrilled. The difference can already be felt inside and out. It's just wonderful. Thank you for your work."
A.K., Zurich
"I accidentally became aware of thermal ablation and even today (3 months after the surgery) I am very glad that I have chosen this method. I was awake during the procedure, was able to hear everything and after the successful surgery, I was able to admire the result right away via ultrasound. Today, as I said 3 months after the operation, about 70% of the nodule has disappeared and I have no "consequential damages".
I will recommend this method to anyone in a similar situation."
L.A., Rüttenen
""It was a wonderful experience for me to see after the ultrasound how enormously my large nodule has already shrunk in this short time.
I am very happy that I have had this method, that you offer, performed by you. Thank you very much. I am very grateful that I have accidentally read about this method in a medical journal.
Before this surgery, I had no energy, could not sleep well and had strong bronchitis every year and was often in a bad psychological condition. Since I'm in a choir, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to sing anymore, because I very often had a strong tension on the right side of my neck, which has now disappeared.
Immediately after the surgery, I was feeling psychologically very well, all negative impressions that came from outside bounced off me. This has continued to this day, with a few small exceptions. My sleep has improved a lot, I have energy again that sometimes I feel like I could run a marathon. I didn't get a cold or even bronchitis this year, even though my husband has been dealing with it for weeks.
I believe that this too was due to this therapy. I very much hope that this procedure will receive more attention from doctors and especially family practitioners. This procedure is not painful and I was very well cared for during my stay at the clinic.
I hope that you will be able to help many more people with this gentle method."
J.R., Zurich
"After I found Prof. Dudeck as a specialist for "treating thyroid nodules without a scalpel" on my own initiative and in responsibility to my body/health and after we made a quick appointment, I had for the first time the feeling that someone can help me. The explanation of thermal ablation was quite extensive and meaningful to me that I agreed to the small surgery. A surgery without scars, without general anesthesia and without lifelong dependency on medication.
Today, after 3 months I am more than happy and satisfied with my thyroid gland. Meanwhile, I can wear a scarf, a turtleneck, even a necklace. I have no shortness of breath, no more difficulty swallowing or the feeling that someone is choking me. I don't need to take any medication, I don't have any scars and thanks to the thermal ablation I had done, I am doing extremely well after years of fighting for the preservation of my thyroid gland.
I have a quality of life again, a healthy quality of life."
K.L., Thalwil
"Thanks to thermal ablation, I was able to keep my thyroid fully functional.
Due to a disturbing goiter on my right thyroid lobe that had almost grown to the size of a kiwi and smaller nodules on the left side, I had already scheduled an appointment for thyroid removal. Fortunately, I read an article in the "Schweizer Illustrierte" just in time about the thermal ablation method of benign thyroid nodules in the Hirslanden Hospital of Prof. O. Dudeck. I immediately contacted him by mail and received an answer from him personally the very next day. After it became clear in the course of the examinations that the nodules were benign, Prof. O. Dudeck's thermal ablation could take place under local anesthesia (duration approx. 30 minutes). I was able to speak during the surgery and felt no pain at all. Immediately after the surgery, the kiwi-sized nodule had shrunk to chestnut size. Today, 6 months later, I can still feel the knot twice the size of a pea. But nobody's staring at my neck anymore because of the goiter. I am glad and grateful to have decided for this "mini-intervention" in the best atmosphere with Prof. O. Dudeck. My thyroid is fully functional today. If the thyroid gland had been almost completely removed, I would now have to take thyroxine and possibly even calcium for the rest of my life. I can only recommend the procedure to any fellow sufferer with benign thyroid nodules."
M. L., Zurich