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Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
922
Risk of Contralateral Central Compartment Recurrence Following Unilateral Therapeutic Neck Dissection for Papillary
Keren Kaminer1,2, Tal Rozenblat2,3, Itay Shavit2
1Rabin Medical Center, Endocrinology & Metabolism Institute, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|August 6, 2025
Summary
For papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with unilateral node-positive disease, unilateral central compartment neck dissection (CCND) is sufficient. This approach shows a low 1% risk of recurrence in the contralateral central neck, supporting its use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Head and Neck Surgery
Background:
- The necessity of bilateral central compartment neck dissection (CCND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with unilateral clinically node-positive disease is debated.
- Previous research focused on occult metastases, which may not predict clinical recurrence.
- This study specifically assesses contralateral central neck recurrence rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sufficiency of unilateral CCND in PTC patients with unilateral clinically node-positive disease.
- To determine the recurrence rate in the contralateral central neck after unilateral CCND.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 118 PTC patients undergoing total thyroidectomy and therapeutic unilateral CCND.
- Minimum follow-up of 2 years.
- Analysis of recurrence patterns, particularly in the contralateral central compartment.
Main Results:
- 118 patients included, with a mean follow-up of 6.2 years.
- Contralateral central compartment recurrence occurred in only 1 patient (1%).
- Ipsilateral recurrence was observed in 6 patients (5%).
Conclusions:
- Unilateral therapeutic CCND is adequate for PTC patients with unilateral clinically node-positive central compartment disease.
- The risk of contralateral central compartment recurrence is low (1%).
- This finding supports the use of unilateral CCND in select PTC cases.
