BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate superselective neck dissection (SSND) in patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) at high risk of lateral cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study enrolled 138 patients with PTC who underwent SSND. These patients were at high risk for LN metastasis and the rate of cervical LN metastasis was recorded.

RESULTS: In all, 146 lateral neck dissections were performed in 138 patients. Intraoperative pathological data revealed LN metastasis from 55 cases, for which Level II and V dissection were performed. Ninety SSNDs were performed in the other 83 patients without metastasis identified in frozen sections. Occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) rates were 56.8% and 43.5% in the central compartment and lateral neck, respectively. OLNM rates of Level II–VI were 17.8%, 31.5%, 36.3%, 1.4%, and 56.8%, respectively. Level VI metastasis (p<0.001), extra thyroidal extension (p=0.003), and tumor size (p=0.011) were significant factors for lateral neck LN metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS: SSND might be effective for early diagnosis of lateral neck metastases of PTC. Patients with OLNM should receive level II, III, and IV dissection, but level V dissection could be omitted.

Keywords: Lymph Nodes, Neck Dissection