Table 3:

Overall comparison of surgery versus RFA

	Surgery (n = 200)	RFA (n = 200)	P Value
Residue^{^a}	11.9%	2.9%	.004
Recurrence^{^b}	2.5%	0.05%	.100
Complications	6%	1%	.002
Postoperative medication	71.5%	0	.002
Mean hospitalization (days)	6.6 ± 1.6	2.1 ± 0.9	.000
Cost (Chinese yuan) (US dollars)	¥15,962 ± ¥1073	¥16,535 ± ¥2309	.99
	($2556.95 ± $171.88)	($2648.74 ± $369.88)

↵a “Residue” is defined as no complicated treatment in single or multiple nodules.
↵b “Recurrence” is defined as the appearance of a new goiter after treatment.