Central compartment neck dissection for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the value of central compartment neck dissection for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma.METHODS The clinical data of 46 cases with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma in our hospital from Jan.1999 to June 2004 were retrospectively studied.The level Ⅵ lymph nodes were removed during the operation.RESULTS In 46 cN0 cases,there were 11 cases(23.9 %) pathologically proved lymph nodes metastasis after operation.Four patients developed neck recurrence and underwent neck dissection.CONCLUSION It is necessary to probe the level Ⅵ lymph nodes during the operation for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma patients.