[Re-operation extent of primary lesion of thyroid cancer]

Many thyroid cancer patients need to receive second operation because of tumor residue. This study was to explore the resection extent of primary lesion in re-operation of thyroid carcinoma.

Clinical data of 55 thyroid carcinoma patients who received re-operation were reviewed. The patients, including seven men and 48 women, were aged of 18-56. All patients received ipsilateral residual lobectomy, isthmectomy, ipsilateral anterior cervical muscle and level VI lymph node dissection. The optimal extent for radical re-resection of primary lesion was explored.

Tumor residue was proved by pathology in 29 patients, with a rate of 52.73%. Of the 29 patients, eight had primary lesion residue, seven had level VI lymph node residue, and 14 had both. Tumor cells were connected with muscle in four patients. Forty-five metastatic lymph nodes were found.

Ipsilateral residual lobectomy, isthmectomy, ipsilateral anterior cervical muscle and level VI lymph node dissection is the basic re-resection extent of primary lesion for thyroid carcinoma patients.