Central neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer

Central compartment lymph node dissection is a common adjunct to thyroidectomy in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer. The indications, surgical technique, potential benefits, and operative risks of this procedure should be clearly defined in order to provide optimal care to these patients.

A systematic review of the literature and an analysis of evidence-based recommendations were performed regarding central neck node dissection for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Cervical nodal metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer is a common occurrence. The presence of metastasis is associated with increased recurrence rates and may decrease survival. Detection of central and lateral neck nodal metastasis preoperatively with clinical examination and cervical ultrasound is important in determining the appropriate initial surgical management. Level VI neck dissection and central neck dissection are terms often used interchangeably to describe surgical excision of all lymph nodes from the hyoid bone to the sternal notch between the carotid arteries, but the addition of the superior mediastinal lymph nodes in compartment VII should be included in the central neck dissection. Due to improved recurrence rates and survival, therapeutic central neck dissection is recommended for all patients with nodal involvement detected pre- or intraoperatively. Prophylactic central neck dissection in patients without detectable nodal disease remains a controversial topic due to a lack of definitive evidence of improved recurrence rates or survival and the possibility of higher complication rates compared to total thyroidectomy alone. Reoperative central nodal dissection can be a challenging procedure with increased complication rates but with good outcomes in experienced centers.

Central neck lymph node dissection plays an important role in the appropriate treatment of papillary thyroid cancer at initial presentation and in cases of recurrent disease. Surgeons caring for this group of patients should have familiarity and skill with this procedure.