title: Routine central neck dissection in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of central neck dissection (CND) remains controversial in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on surgical morbidities and locoregional recurrence after total thyroidectomy (TT) with CND versus TT alone was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen trials were analyzed. There was no increased risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (temporary or permanent), permanent hypocalcemia, or locoregional recurrence when CND was performed in addition to TT. Postoperative temporary hypocalcemia was more common after TT with CND than after TT alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TT alone results in less surgical morbidity in the immediate postoperative period and an identical locoregional recurrence rate compared with TT plus CND.
authors.affiliation: Department of General surgery, Chang Zheng Hospital affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Xiang
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dao-Zhen
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xiang-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods