title: Clinical analysis of prophylactic central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The need of prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still controversial. The major restriction of PCND is the potential complications. We undertook a retrospective study to discuss its necessity in PTC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 188 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and PCND were involved. In all of these, central lymph nodes were pathologic examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on tumor location and size, etc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, node metastases were found in 44.1 % (83/188) of patients. Tumor size was the independent positive predictor for lymph node metastasis, while gender, age, tumor multifocality, tumor location, and capsular infiltration were not independent predictors of central lymph node metastases. Postoperative complications happened in 5.3 % (10/188) of patients, which 4.8 % (9/188) had temporary hypocalcemia and 0 % (0/188) had permanent hypocalcemia. Rates of temporary and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were 0.5 % (1/188) and 0 % (0/188), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCND is recommended in all patients with PTC.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077273:Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*