Purpose: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a common malignancy among women of reproductive age, is increasingly common during pregnancy because of routine prenatal imaging. However, the optimal timing for surgical treatment remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the safety and practicality of performing thyroid surgery during pregnancy through a comparative analysis of perioperative and pathological outcomes between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 100 female patients aged 20–39 years who underwent thyroid surgery for PTC between January 2019 and December 2024. Patients were grouped into pregnant (n = 14) and nonpregnant (n = 86) cohorts. Clinical, surgical, and pathological data were compared. Results: Most pregnant patients underwent surgery during the second trimester. The operative duration was significantly shorter in the pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group (71.4 ± 26.35 minutes vs. 87.2 ± 5.17 minutes, P = 0.025), and there was a trend towards a lower drain volume on postoperative day 1 (25.2 ± 15.23 mL vs. 32.7 ± 0.18 mL, P = 0.077).No significant differences were observed in terms of complication rates. Despite a higher frequency of extrathyroidal extension (P = 0.003) and advanced T stage (P = 0.038) in the pregnant group, the surgical outcomes were favorable. One neonate experienced mild intraventricular hemorrhage that resolved without sequelae. Conclusion Thyroid surgery during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, appears feasible in selected patients.Given the small sample and retrospective nature of this study, larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Purpose: Although Korea’s medical care uses advanced technology, there are not enough doctors working in rural areas, and fewer doctors are working in challenging fields such as surgery. Medical care in Türkiye is very cost-effective for patients, but doctors have too many patients and too much work. This study compared the healthcare systems of the 2 countries and the gaps felt by surgeons. Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted using a comprehensive literature review and a questionnaire involving medical professionals from various working positions in both countries. Results: Doctors in both countries felt that there was a large medical gap between regions and reported that the number of doctors was small. Turkish doctors experience excessive patient overload, contributing to high stress and feelings of overwork. They also showed lower job satisfaction than in Korea. The common reasons for the low preference for general surgery residencies include intense training, excessive workload, and high risk in both countries. Conclusion This study identified the key challenges in medical and surgical training in Korea and Türkiye. In Korea, shortages can be addressed by reforms in general surgery residency, the development of a balanced residency selection system, and the provision of work opportunities for non-Korean professionals. In Türkiye, improving remuneration and alleviating unsafe work environments is urgent. Both countries should incentivize rural services to ensure balanced doctor distribution. Collaborative initiatives informed by these findings can enhance medical education and healthcare delivery in both countries.