Video-Assisted Lateral Neck Dissection Has Good Efficacy and Safety: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Head and Neck Cancer Research

Background:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) frequently presents with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM).
• Effective surgical management of LLNM in PTC is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Conventional open surgery for LLNM can result in significant scarring and potential complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of video-assisted lateral neck dissection (VALND) for treating LLNM in PTC patients.
• To compare VALND with conventional open surgery regarding oncologic outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study included 191 PTC patients with LLNM who underwent VALND between June 2013 and December 2017.
• Safety was assessed by postoperative complication rates (nerve injury, lymphatic fistula).
• Efficacy was evaluated by the number of lymph nodes dissected (LND) and recurrence rates over a median follow-up of 69.21 months.

Main Results:

• VALND demonstrated a low complication rate, including minor nerve injuries and lymphatic fistulas.
• An average of 45.27 (left) and 43.33 (right) lateral neck lymph nodes were dissected.
• Only 2 patients experienced pathologically confirmed recurrences, indicating high efficacy.

Conclusions:

• VALND is a safe and effective surgical option for LLNM in PTC.
• VALND offers advantages over open surgery, including reduced incision length and improved cosmetic results.
• The study recommends global promotion of VALND for its benefits to PTC patients.