Safety and efficacy of modified radical lymph nodes dissection in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and clinically manifested lymph metastasis

INTRODUCTION: Papillary cancer of the thyroid gland is well known as lymphotropic type. In more than 50 percent of cases it metastized in regional lymph nodes. The extent of surgical exploration remains controversial. AIM: The aim of our retrospective study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of modified radical lymph node dissection (MRND) in patients with PTC and regional lymph nodes metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of survival, local recurrences and quality of life on 19 patients operated in Department of General Surgery, Medical University, Plovdiv. All patients were with PTC and regional lymph nodes metastasis. The results were compared with these in patients with the same disease and "berry picking" (BP) lymph nodes dissection. RESULTS: The performed analysis and comparison of data revealed better survival rate and quality of life in patients with (total thyroidectomy) TT and MRND than this one with TT and BP. CONCLUSIONS: MRND is safe and effective procedure for the treatment of patients with PTC and regional lymph nodes metastasis. Exactly performed it assure better survival, quality of life as well as better control of distant metastasis.