Randomized trial of prophylactic ipsilateral central lymph node dissection in patients with clinically node negative papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This study aimed to evaluate the role of prophylactic ipsilateral central neck dissection (pCND) in patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

METHODS:

In this randomized control trial, a total of 164 consecutive patients were enrolled. By double-blinded randomization protocol, patients were allocated into hemithyroidectomy with pCND (n = 82) or without pCND (n = 82). With intention-to-treat analysis, post-surgical pathological and clinical course, surgery-related complications, causes and clinical course of protocol-violated cases and 5-year recurrence-free survival were compared.

RESULTS:

Operation time, hospital stay, and post-surgical complication were not significantly different between the two groups. In the pCND (+) group, occult lymph node metastasis rate was 50.0%, and lymph node ratio (metastatic/harvested lymph nodes) was 45.2%. Ten patients in the pCND (+) group had converted to undergo onsite or staged completion total thyroidectomy due to the presence of metastatic central lymph nodes and/or positive resection margin. Until last follow-up (mean 73.4 months), one regional recurrence developed in the pCND (-) group, and three regional recurrences occurred in the pCND (+) group. Five-year recurrence-free survival was similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

Although ipsilateral pCND could clear occult lymph node metastasis in the central compartment, it failed to provide any oncological benefit for cN0 PTMC patients.

• Authors: Bo Young Kim, Nayeon Choi, Sun Wook Kim, Han-Sin Jeong, Man Ki Chung, Young- Ik Son
• Journal: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 277 Issue 2 Pg. 569-576 (Feb 2020) ISSN: 1434-4726 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 31664515 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Carcinoma, Papillary (pathology, surgery)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Lymph Nodes (pathology)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neck Dissection (methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Thyroid Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Thyroidectomy (methods)