Optimization of staging of the neck with prophylactic central and lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective:To analyze the yield and rate of node metastases (pN1) for prophylactic central (CND) and lateral neck dissection (LND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma, the risk factors for pN1, and outcomes.Background:Prophylactic CND and LND are not routinely employed. Adjuvant radioiodine treatment may