Background: The minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) for thyroid benign nodules and central neck dissection (CND) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) have been applied, presently, we attempted to perform video-assisted selective lateral neck dissection (VASLND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
Methods: Twenty-six consecutive PTC patients with unilateral tumor (size <4.0 cm) and suspected lymph node metastasis at level III, IV, or IIa were included from March 2009 to January 2012.
Results: VASLND was successfully performed in all 26 PTC patients. The mean operative time was 46 min (range 26-75 min) on VASLND. No major complications occurred. Average postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 days (range 2-8 days). The mean number of removed nodes was 7.3 (range 4-12) in central neck and 8.3 (range 3-21) in lateral compartment. Positive yield amounted to a mean value of 2.6 (range 0-5) and 3 (range 0-6), respectively. No persistent or recurrent disease was observed in any patient during a follow-up period. The cosmetic result was excellent.
Conclusions: Our initial experience demonstrates that VASLND is feasible and safe for selected PTCs, with superior appearance and less pain. Nevertheless, larger series and comparative studies with longer follow-up could be necessary to confirm its oncological effectiveness.