ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the application value of central region cervical lymph nodes dissection in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with clinically node-negative sides of neck stage.Methods Clinical data of 72 PTMC patients with clinically node-negative sides of neck stage were collected,and they were underwent total thyroidectomy,isthmic portion excision and contralateral lobus glandularis excision and neck dissection.A long term follow-up was made.Results Twenty-four patients were found central region cervical lymph nodes metastasis while other 48 patients were not found central region cervical lymph nodes metastasis.Followed up for 1.5-4.5 (3.4 ± 1.1) years,4 patients were found recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and recovered within 4 months.Four patients were found central region cervical lymph nodes metastasis after operation the 3rd years.Conclusions There is a tendency for PTMC patients with clinically node-negative sides of neck stage to occur central region cervical lymph nodes metastasis,it's necessary to perform prophylactic central region dissection.It can decrease the complications and improve the prognosis.