联合甲状腺全切除和中央区淋巴结清扫术治疗甲状腺乳头状癌安全性的meta分析

目的 评价同时进行甲状腺全切除和颈中央区淋巴结清扫术治疗甲状腺乳头状癌的安全性.方法 采用Mantel-Haenszel法对符合入选标准的7篇文献进行meta分析,计算相对危险度.结果 7个临床试验共有1524例符合人选条件,其中904例单行甲状腺全切除术,620例同时实施了甲状腺全切除和中央区淋巴结清扫.与单行甲状腺全切除组相比联合手术组术后暂时性低钙血症(P=0.03)和暂时性声带麻痹(P=0.01)的发生率增加,永久性低钙血症(P=0.32)和永久性声带麻痹(P=0.75)发生率无明显差别.结论 同时实施甲状腺全切除和颈中央区淋巴结清扫增加的手术并发症都是一过性的,对高危组甲状腺乳头状癌可以考虑实施预防性颈中央区淋巴结清扫.     

全甲状腺切除+预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术治疗多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌103例临床分析

目的总结多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌的临床病理学特征,评估全甲状腺切除+预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术在治疗多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌中的临床意义及安全性。方法回顾性分析2011年6月至2015年2月期间于湖北医药学院附属东风医院接受全甲状腺切除+预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术的103例多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌患者的病例资料。结果 103例多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌患者均行全甲状腺切除+预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术。单侧多发病灶55例(53.40%),双侧多发病灶48例(46.60%)。中央区淋巴结转移31例(30.10%),其中单侧多发病灶者中央区淋巴结转移16例(29.10%),均为患侧中央区淋巴结转移;双侧多发病灶者中央区淋巴结转移15例(31.25%),其中双侧转移7例,单侧转移8例。术后13例(12.62%)出现暂时性的低钙血症;1例(0.97%)发生永久性的甲状旁腺功能损伤;18例(17.48%)出现喉返神经短暂性麻痹,没有发生永久性喉返神经损伤的病例;3例(2.91%)术后出现短暂性饮水呛咳。术后所有患者均获访,随访时间为5个月~4年,中位数为28个月。随访期间3例(2.91%)出现侧颈区淋巴结转移。结论全甲状腺切除+预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术对治疗多灶性甲状腺乳头状癌有重要意义。     

腔镜辅助下改良颈淋巴结清扫术在甲状腺乳头状癌中应用的安全性

目的评价腔镜辅助下改良颈淋巴结清扫术在甲状腺乳头状癌中应用的安全性。方法我们回顾分析了2006年6月1日至2013年6月1日于吉林大学第一医院甲状腺外科行腔镜辅助下改良颈淋巴结清扫术41例的甲状腺乳头状癌患者资料。统计分析其手术并发症以评价此种术式的安全性。结果纳入研究的41例患者按术式被分为以下4组：I：单独行侧颈淋巴结清扫。Ⅱ：甲状腺全切加侧颈淋巴结清扫。Ⅲ：甲状腺全切加中央区淋巴结及侧颈淋巴结清扫。Ⅳ：侧颈淋巴结清扫加中央区淋巴结清扫术。术后并发症发生率平均为58．5％。患者术后并发症发生率在第Ⅲ组中高达68％,Ⅱ组其次,可达66．7％,单独清扫侧颈淋巴结组的并发症发生率最低,仅有20％。其中暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下的发生率最高（41．5％）。无1例出现永久性并发症。无手术死亡。结论腔镜辅助下改良颈淋巴结清扫术安全性较高,较少发生永久性并发症,这种手术方式不仅保留颈部功能,保留切口美观,而且并不降低手术的安全性。然而,如果联合中央区淋巴结清扫,特别是甲状腺全切的患者,并发症的发生率将会增加。其中甲状旁腺的损伤最为常见,所以术中保护甲状旁腺显得尤为重要。     

中央区淋巴结清除在甲状腺乳头状癌手术中的应用价值

探讨中央区淋巴结清除在甲状腺乳头状癌手术中的临床意义。选取2011年1月—2015年3月治疗的甲状腺乳头状癌患者115例,均行原发病灶切除及中央区淋巴结清除术,并对患者进行术后随访。115例患者中,41例行全甲状腺切除术+双侧中央区淋巴结清除(CLND),20例行患侧叶及峡部全切术+对侧叶近全切除术+患侧CLND,54例行患侧叶及峡部切除术+患侧CLND;术后病理确诊37例出现中央区颈淋巴结转移,转移率为32.17%(37/115);45岁患者、病灶直径1 cm、有包膜或膜外侵犯、T_3/T_4期患者中央区淋巴结转移率分别为41.27%、52.27%、63.16%、87.50%,明显高于≥45岁、病灶直径≤1cm、无包膜或膜外侵犯、T_1/T_2期患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示病灶直径1 cm、T_3/T_4期是中央区淋巴结转移的危险因素(OR=4.577、4.978,P0.05)。术后22例出现暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下,无永久性甲状旁腺功能低下者。甲状腺乳头状癌行中央区淋巴结清除术疗效较好,并发症少;中央区淋巴结转移与病灶大小及T分期有关。     

cN0甲状腺乳头状癌行中央区颈淋巴结清扫术的临床研究

目的探讨中央区颈淋巴结清扫术对cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的意义。方法对解放军总医院2010年12月至2012年7月期间128例行中央区颈淋巴结清扫术的cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者中央区颈淋巴结转移率为35．94％（46／128）。年龄〈45岁、原发病灶直径〉1cm、包膜或腺外侵犯的cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者中央区颈淋巴结转移率均明显高于年龄≥45岁、原发病灶直径≤1cm、无包膜或腺外侵犯者（P〈0．05）。术后22例（17．19％）患者出现暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下,3例（2．34％）患者出现暂时性喉返神经损伤,无永久性喉返神经损伤及永久性甲状旁腺功能低下发生。术后随访14～32个月（平均23．4个月）,2例患者出现颈侧区淋巴结转移。结论中央区颈淋巴结清扫术对cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者是一种必要、安全且有效的术式,且应由经验丰富的专科医生来实施。     

预防性中央区淋巴结清扫与甲状腺乳头状癌局部复发的Meta分析

目的:探讨预防性中央区淋巴结清扫(pCND)能否降低甲状腺乳头状癌术后的局部复发.方法:计算机检索国内外数据库中自2001年1月-2012年12月公开发表的有关甲状腺全切加pCND对比单纯甲状腺全切治疗甲状腺乳头状癌研究的文献,提取数据,行Meta分析.结果:最终纳入10个研究,共2 272例患者,其中甲状腺全切加pCND组897例,甲状腺全切组1 375例.Meta分析结果显示,甲状腺全切加pCND组较单纯甲状腺全切术组的总复发率(OR=0.73,95％ CI=0.49-1.07,P=0.11),中央区复发率(OR=0.92,95％ CI=0.33-2.51,P=0.86)及颈侧区复发率(OR=1.00,95％ CI=0.50-2.00,P=0.99)均无明显改善.结论:对于颈部淋巴结阴性(cNo)的甲状腺乳头状癌患者,预防性中央区淋巴结清扫不能减少术后复发率.     

甲状腺乳头状癌预防性中央区淋巴结清扫可行性分析

目的 探讨预防性中央区淋巴结清扫术在临床颈淋巴结阴性(cN0)甲状腺乳头状癌治疗中的价值.方法 对82例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌行原发灶根治性切除,同时行患侧中央区淋巴结清扫术,清扫标本常规送病理检查.结果 cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者中央区淋巴结转移率56.1%(46/82),中央区淋巴结转移与肿瘤大小(χ2=4.98,P<0.05),原发灶侵犯包膜(χ2=8.76,P<0.05)及年龄>45岁者(χ2=6.62,P<0.05)有关,82例均无永久性喉返神经损伤和永久性甲状旁腺功能低下等并发症发生.结论 cN0甲状腺乳头状癌行中央区淋巴结清扫术是必要的和安全的处理方式.     

选择性中央区淋巴结清扫治疗cNO甲状腺乳头状癌的临床价值

目的探讨选择性中央区淋巴结清扫术在临床颈淋巴结阴性（cN0）的甲状腺乳头状癌患者中的治疗价值。方法回顾性分析中国医科大学附属第一医院2007年1月至2011年12月期间收治的326例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的临床资料,并对影响中央区淋巴结转移的相关因素进行分析。结果本组326例cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的中央区淋巴结转移率为35．89％（117／326）。年龄在〈45岁、肿瘤直径〉1cm及原发灶浸润包膜的cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者的淋巴结转移率明显高于年龄≥45岁、肿瘤直径≤1cm及原发灶未浸润包膜的oN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者（年龄：46．56％比28．72％,P=0．001;肿瘤直径：44．44％比26．45％,P=0．001;包膜浸润：50．00％比33．09％,P=0．020）。进一步的多因素分析显示,年龄〈45岁和肿瘤直径〉1cm是cN0甲状腺乳头状癌中央区淋巴结转移的独立危险因素（P〈0。05）。术后6例出现暂时性喉返神经损伤,18例并发暂时性甲状旁腺功能低下,4例出现暂时性喉上神经损伤,1例并发急性喉头水肿,无永久性喉神经损伤、甲状旁腺功能低下等并发症发生。术后266例（81．60％）获得随访,随访7～67个月（平均31．2个月）,有3例发生侧颈区淋巴结转移。结论cN0甲状腺乳头状癌行选择性中央区淋巴结清扫术是必要的、安全的处理方式,建议对cN0甲状腺乳头状癌常规行患侧中央区淋巴结清扫术,特别是年龄〈45岁和肿瘤直径〉1cm的cN0甲状腺乳头状癌患者。     

甲状腺癌中央区淋巴结清扫和术后甲状旁腺功能减退

目的:研究不同甲状腺手术方式,尤其是中央区淋巴结清扫的作用以及术后甲状旁腺功能减退的发生。方法:连续收集同组医师操作的100例甲状腺手术病例。按手术方式分为6组:单侧甲状腺切除组12例,单侧甲状腺切除加单侧中央区颈淋巴结清扫组13例,双侧甲状腺切除组7例,双侧甲状腺切除加单侧中央区颈淋巴结清扫组32例,双侧甲状腺切除加双侧中央区颈淋巴结清扫组24例,双侧甲状腺切除加双侧中央区及患侧颈侧区颈淋巴结清扫组12例。分析其治疗结果及并发症发生率,尤其是对甲状旁腺功能的影响。结果:100例中单纯甲状腺乳头状癌74例,其中p N136例(48.6%)。除单侧甲状腺切除术外,其他手术方式术后第1天甲状旁腺激素水平均明显下降,但多可在术后1个月恢复至正常范围。75例共出现41例暂时性和4例永久性甲状旁腺功能减退(甲旁减),其发生率分别为54.7%和5.3%。行双侧甲状腺切除术病例暂时性甲旁减发生率显著高于单侧术式组,但各组间永久性甲旁减发生率无统计学差异,通过适当口服钙剂和维生素D,病人均无明显低钙症状。结论:对甲状腺乳头状癌病人行中央区淋巴结清扫,有积极而肯定的意义。对甲状旁腺功能影响多为暂时。     

甲状腺微小乳头状癌手术126例体会

目的探讨甲状腺微小乳头状癌手术的治疗方法。方法 2015年1月~2016年5月,我科收治甲状腺微小癌126例,行患侧加峡部切除或甲状腺全切除术及中央区淋巴结清扫术,中央区淋巴结转移者行同侧选择性区域淋巴结清扫术。统计手术并发症、术后病理及恢复情况。结果发现隐匿性多发癌4例;术中证实中央区转移45例(35.7%),行横行小切口侧颈区选择性区域淋巴结清扫术(清扫Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、部分Ⅴ区),术后病理侧颈区淋巴结转移23例。术后声音嘶哑3例,饮水呛咳2例,短暂性低钙血症15例(均为甲状腺全切除术后),术后乳糜淋巴漏4例(均为侧颈区淋巴结清扫术后)。无术后切口出血导致再次手术。结论甲状腺微小癌具有较高的中央区淋巴结转移率,中央区淋巴结转移者侧颈区淋巴结转移率高,建议对甲状腺微小癌行常规小切口甲状腺全切除及选择性区域淋巴结清扫术。     

Role of prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer: assessment of the risk of regional recurrence

Prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative patients remains controversial. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to determine the rate of metastases in the central neck in clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer patients, to examine the morbidity, and to assess the risk of regional recurrence in patients treated with total thyroidectomy with concomitant bilateral or ipsilateral central neck dissection compared with those undergoing total thyroidectomy alone. 258 consecutive clinically node-negative patients were divided into three groups according to the procedures performed: total thyroidectomy only (group A), total thyroidectomy with concomitant ipsilateral central neck dissection (group B), and total thyroidectomy combined with bilateral central neck dissection (group C). Mean operative time and postoperative stay were shorter in Group A (p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism was lower in Group A (p = 0.03), whereas no differences in the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism and nerve palsy were present. Postoperative radioactive iodine administration was higher in group B and particularly C (p = 0.03) compared with group A. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of regional recurrence. Differentiated thyroid cancer has a high rate of central lymph node metastasis even in clinically node-negative patients; in the present study there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of locoregional recurrence between the three modalities of treatment. Total thyroidectomy appears to be an adequate treatment for clinically node-negative differentiated thyroid cancer. Prophylactic central neck dissection might be considered for differentiated thyroid cancer patients with large tumor size or extrathyroidal extension.     

Complications of neck dissection for thyroid cancer

rophylactic and therapeutic neck dissections are used to control or eliminate local nodal disease in patients with thyroid cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results and complications of neck dissection. From 1992 to 1999 a series of 115 consecutive neck dissections were performed in 74 patients (32 men, 42 women; mean age 48 years) with thyroid cancer and nodal metastases. Operations included central compartment, lateral modified, and suprahyoid dissection with and without total or completion thyroidectomy. Sixty-four percent of the patients had papillary, 4% follicular, and 32% medullary thyroid cancer. Complications included transient hypocalcemia (23%) defined by a postoperative serum calcium level of <2.0 mmol/L (8.0 mg/dl), one neck hematoma (0.9%), and one cardiac death (0.9%). There were no permanent recurrent nerve palsies. Hypocalcemia occurred more frequently when neck dissection was combined with total thyroidectomy than without it (p <0.005). In this group, the incidence of hypocalcemia was higher after central, than lateral, neck dissection. When neck dissection was performed without thyroidectomy, there was no difference in the rates of hypocalcemia between central, lateral, or central with lateral neck dissection (p = NS). Hypocalcemia did not increase with repeated neck dissectionsp = NS). Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 0.9%. There were no complications after suprahyoid dissection. The median duration of hospitalization was 1 day. Therapeutic neck dissection or repeated neck dissection can be performed relatively safely in patients with thyroid cancer. Hypocalcemia occurs most frequently when neck dissection is combined with total thyroidectomy.     

Is it possible to intraoperatively modulate the extent of thyroidectomy in small papillary thyroid carcinoma?

BackgroundThyroid lobectomy is the preferred option for small, unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma. Involvement of the central neck lymph nodes is an indication for total thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection. We aimed to verify if frozen section examination of ipsilateral central neck nodes can identify the subgroup of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy intraoperatively who could benefit of more extensive initial operative treatment.MethodsNinety-four consenting patients with clinically unifocal cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent thyroid lobectomy plus ipsilateral central neck dissection with frozen section examination. If the frozen section examination was positive for metastases, a completion thyroidectomy and a bilateral central neck dissection were accomplished during the same procedure.ResultsFrozen section examination identified occult nodal metastases in 25 of the 94 patients who then underwent immediate completion thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection. Overall, central neck node metastases were found at final histology in 35 cases: occult micrometastases were observed in additional 9 patients and nodal metastases ≥2 mm in additional 1 patient.ConclusionIntraoperative assessment of nodal status obtained with ipsilateral central neck dissection and frozen section examination is able to change the extent of thyroidectomy in about one-fourth of patients scheduled for thyroid lobectomy. Frozen section examination appears a safe and effective strategy to decrease the need of a second-step completion procedure and, theoretically, the risk of recurrence.     

Cervical neck dissection without drains in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma

This study aims to review the safety of thyroidectomy combined with cervical neck dissection without drainage in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC). The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy without drainage for WDTC were retrospectively reviewed. Group 1 included 123 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and Group 2 included 46 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with central and lateral neck dissection. One hundred twenty-seven patients underwent thyroidectomy without neck dissection and were included in Group 3. Overall, 16 patients (5%) developed postoperative hematoma and/or seroma, seven patients (6%) in the Group 1, three patients (7%) in the Group 2, and six patients (5%) in Group 3. All patients had minor bleeding or seroma not requiring surgical intervention. Overall, 68 patients (23%) had transient postoperative hypocalcaemia, and four patients(1%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism. Seventeen patients (6%) had transient postoperative hoarseness and three had permanent vocal cord paralysis (0.6%). The postoperative stay for all groups was 1 day in 91 per cent of the cases. Patients from Groups 1 and 2 had no increased perioperative local complications or length of stay as compared with Group 3. Cervical neck dissection and thyroidectomy without drains is safe and effective in the treatment of WDTC.     

甲状腺乳头状癌术中喉前及气管前淋巴结联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值

目的:探讨甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)术中喉前淋巴结(DLN)及气管前淋巴结(PLN)联合冷冻病理检测的临床价值。方法:收集2015年1月—2016年12月昆明医科大学第二附属医院甲状腺乳腺外科术前经细针穿刺活检明确诊断并接受首次手术治疗的245例PTC患者的临床资料,患者均行DLN与PLN术中冷冻病理检测,并根据DLN与PLN转移情况选择手术方式。结果:245例患者术中冷冻病理均发现DLN与PLN,淋巴结数目2～11枚,126例(51.43%)发现DLN与PLN转移。术后病检气管旁淋巴结转移165例,侧颈区淋巴结转移62例。76例行单侧腺叶及峡部全切+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,42例行全甲状腺切除+患侧中央区淋巴结清扫,101例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫,26例行全甲状腺切除+双侧中央区淋巴结清扫+侧颈区清扫。统计分析表明包膜侵犯是DLN与PLN转移的独立风险因素(OR=9.62,P=0.021)。结论:DLN与PLN可作为PTC前哨淋巴结,其转移与气管旁淋巴结转移、侧颈区淋巴结转移密切相关。术中行DLN与PLN联合冷冻病理检测有助于选择最佳手术方式,实现对PTC更加精准的治疗。     

The value of intraoperative pentagastrin testing in medullary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND: The decrease of calcitonin levels after curative operation in patients with medullary thyroid cancer is characterized by individual variation; therefore, intraoperative calcitonin measurements to evaluate the completeness of the resection seem to not be feasible. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an intraoperative pentagastrin test after thyroidectomy and central neck dissection is useful to predict lymph node involvement of the lateral neck. METHODS: A group of 30 consecutive patients underwent primary surgery. After thyroidectomy and dissection of the central lymph node compartment, an intraoperative pentagastrin test was performed. Biochemical and histologic data were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the group, 20 patients (67%) showed no, or only central neck lymph node, involvement and no increase in calcitonin after intraoperative stimulation. Lymph node involvement was documented histologically in the lateral neck of 10 patients (33%), and 8 patients showed an increase of calcitonin as an indication of lymph node involvement. In two patients, each with 1 single micrometastasis in the lateral neck, the intraoperative pentagastrin test was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative calcitonin monitoring after pentagastrin stimulation seems promising in predicting lymph node involvement of the lateral neck to aid selection of patients for lateral lymph node dissection. The development of a highly sensitive, quick calcitonin assay is imperative.     

Effect of prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy on surgical site wound infection,hematoma, and haemorrhage in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy on surgical site wound infection, hematoma, and haemorrhage in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma. A systematic literature search up to April 2022 was performed and 3517 subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma at the baseline of the studies; 1503 of them were treated with prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy, and 2014 were using total thyroidectomy. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy on surgical site wound infection, hematoma, and haemorrhage in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma using the dichotomous method with a random or fixed-effect model. The prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy subjects had a significantly lower surgical site wound infection (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20–0.78, P = .007) in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma compared with total thyroidectomy. However, prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy did not show any significant difference in hematoma (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.43–2.71, P = .87), and haemorrhage (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.26–1.97, P = .52) compared with total thyroidectomy in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma. The prophylactic central neck dissection following total thyroidectomy subjects had a significantly higher surgical site wound infection, and no significant difference in hematoma, and haemorrhage compared with total thyroidectomy in subjects with clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low number of studies in certain comparisons.     

甲状腺乳头状癌区域淋巴结清扫与131I治疗的对比分析

目的:比较甲状腺乳头状癌中央组淋巴结清扫与131Ⅰ辅助治疗的临床效果.方法:选择5年半内收治的390例甲状腺乳头状癌cN0患者的临床资料行回顾性分析,患者分别行甲状腺全切除+中央组淋巴结清扫(A组),甲状腺全切除+术后131Ⅰ治疗(B组)和单纯甲状腺全切除术(C组).结果:中央组淋巴结清扫组(A组)与非清扫组(B+C组)各种术后并发症(喉返神经损伤、喉上神经损伤、甲状旁腺功能低下)发生率差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05);B组131I治疗后放射病发生率为51.5％.3组术后5年复发率与转移率比较,A组中央区复发率分别为0,明显低于B组(7.7％)和C组(13.8％)(均P＜0.05);A,B,C组颈侧区转移率及无影像学证据血清甲状腺球蛋白升高率依次增高(1.5％,6.2％,9.2％;3.1％,7.7％,15.4％),其中A组与C组间差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).B组平均住院日最长,住院费用最高,与A,C组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).结论:甲状腺乳头状癌患者常规行中央组淋巴清扫有助于降低复发率,且无增加手术并发症风险;131I治疗不能完全代替淋巴结清扫术,且患者并发症、住院日和费用增加.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted functional lateral neck dissection for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma

Functional lateral neck dissection requires a large incision providing adequate exposure of the surgical field. We evaluated the feasibility of minimally invasive video-assisted functional lateral neck dissection (VALNED) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Low-risk PTC patients with lateral neck metastases <2 cm, in absence of any evidence of great vessels involvement, were considered eligible. After accomplishing total thyroidectomy and central neck clearance, dissection was performed under endoscopic vision by using a technique very similar to conventional surgery through the single 4-cm skin incision used for thyroidectomy. Two patients were selected: 1 underwent bilateral and 1 unilateral VALNED. The mean number of the removed nodes was 25 per side. Both patients experienced transient postoperative hypocalcemia. No other complication occurred. No evidence of residual or recurrent disease was found at follow-up. VALNED is feasible, and the results are encouraging. For definitive conclusions, larger series and comparative studies are necessary.