COMPLICATION OF TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY PLUS LYMPH NODE GROUP VI DISSECTION IN PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA PATIENTS
Background: Although lymph-node metastases are common in papillary thyroid cancer, there is considerable debate concerning the use of routine prophylactic lymph-node group VI dissection for all patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. This study was identification the complications and the rate of recurrence of total thyroidectomy plus lymph node group VI dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. They underwent total thyroidectomy with or without lymph node group VI dissection. Evaluation of postoperative complications and early recurrence rate /distant metastasis after 2 years. Results: The incident of transient hypoparathyroidism in the grouptotal thyroidectomy with or without lymph node group VI dissection respectively 13.3% and 6.7%. Neck lymph node dissection group VI helps detect 40.9% of cases of metastatic lymph nodes clinically undetectable. Neck lymph node recurrence rate in patients with lymph node group VI dissection is lower than group without dissection (3.3% versus 23.3%). Conclusions: Lymph nodes group VIdissection in preventive treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma should be done. Key words: PTC, lymph-node group VI dissection