Meta-Analysis on the safety of total thyroidectomy combined with central lymph node dissection / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the safety of performing thyroidectomy together with central lymph node dissection(CLND). Methods Meta analysis was performed on 7 selected clinical papers using MantelHaenszel method and relative risk was calculated. Results A total of 1524 patients were eligible to be included,among whom 904 cases underwent thyroidectomy alone and 620 cases underwent total thyroidectomy combined with CLND. The risk rate of temporary hypocalcemia and temporary vocal cord palsy for CLND was 24. 77% and 9. 12% respectively, which was higher than that in performing thyroidectomy alone. However, the risk of permanent hypocalcemia and permanent vocal cord palsy had no statistic difference between the two groups. Conclusion As there is no increased morbidity of CLND, it is prudently suggested to give a prophylactic CLND for patients with high risk of thyroid papillary carcinoma.