Abstract Objective: The scope of surgical resection for paratracheal (level VI) lymph nodes in patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) remains debatable. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic ipsilateral Central Neck lymph node Dissection (CND) versus bilateral CND at the time of total thyroidectomy for Clinically Node-negative (cN0) unilateral PTC. Methods: A systematic retrieval of electronic databases, including Pubmed, Web of Science, and the China Journal Net, was conducted from January 1990 to September 2021. Outcome data of interest included transient hypoparathyroidism, permanent hypoparathyroidism, transient Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) injury, permanent RLN injury and local recurrence. We constructed the summary Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for every study with either fixed or random effect models. Results: A full total of 1792 patients from 6 studies were enrolled. Our meta-analysis showed that transient hypoparathyroidism was significantly more frequent in bilateral CND group (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.44–0.76). The prevalence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in bilateral CND group patients compared to those in ipsilateral CND group (OR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.15–0.45). On the other hand, our meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the incidence of transient RLN injury, permanent RLN injury and local recurrence. Conclusions: Compared with bilateral CND, the rate of temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism in ipsilateral CND is lower, but the local recurrence is similar. It may be presumptuous to suggest that ipsilateral CND is an adequate treatment for cN0 unilateral PTC.

Abstract Background Bursectomy consists of surgically removing the peritoneal lining covering the pancreas and the anterior plane of the transverse mesocolon during gastrectomy. However, there are little data to indicate whether bursectomy has a clinical benefit. Objective The objective of this study was to study the effect of bursectomy on complications, recurrence, and overall survival of patients with gastric cancer. Methods The publicly available literature published from January 2000 to July 2017 concerning gastrectomy with bursectomy and standard gastrectomy for gastric cancer was retrieved by searching the national and international online databases. Meta-analysis was performed after the data extraction process. Results Eight studies were finally included for a total of 1644 patients, of whom 644 underwent bursectomy and 1000 received standard gastrectomy without bursectomy. As shown by the meta-analysis results, there were no statistically significant differences in the presence of total post-operative complications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.83-1.35], p = 0.63), overall recurrence (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [0.77-1.50], p = 0.68), 3-year overall survival (OR = 1.30, 95% CI [0.82-2.07], p = 0.26), and 5-year overall survival (OR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.66-1.27], p = 0.58). Conclusion Although application of bursectomy in radical gastrectomy did not increase post-operative complications, it offered no benefit to control tumor recurrence or improve overall survival.

Resumo Introdução: A incidência relatada de metástases linfonodais chega a 40% em pacientes com microcarcinoma papilífero de tireoide e essas ocorrem principalmente no compartimento cervical central. Como essas metástases são difíceis de ser detectadas com o uso de ultrassonografia no pré-operatório, alguns autores defendem o esvaziamento cervical central de rotina em pacientes portadores de microcarcinoma papilífero de tireoide no momento da tireoidectomia inicial. Objetivo: Avaliar se o esvaziamento cervical central profilático pode diminuir a taxa de recorrência local de microcarcinoma papilífero de tireoide após a tireoidectomia. Método: A literatura disponível, publicada de janeiro de 1990 a dezembro de 2017, sobre tireoidectomia com esvaziamento cervical central profilático versus tireoidectomia somente para microcarcinoma papilífero de tireoide foi obtida através de busca nas bases de dados online nacionais e internacionais. A metanálise foi feita após o processo de extração de dados. Resultados: Quatro estudos foram finalmente incluídos na metanálise, com 727 pacientes, dos quais 366 foram submetidos à tireoidectomia com esvaziamento cervical central profilático e 361 só receberam tireoidectomia. Como mostrado pelos resultados da metanálise, as taxas de recorrência com tireoidectomia com esvaziamento cervical central profilático foram de 1,91% e foram significantemente menores do que aquelas em pacientes submetidos somente à tiroidectomia (OR = 0,24, IC95% [0,10-0,56], p = 0,0009). Conclusão: Para pacientes com microcarcinoma papilífero de tireoide, o esvaziamento cervical central profilático é um procedimento seguro e eficiente e resulta em menor taxa de recorrência. Como as evidências são de baixa qualidade (estudos não randomizados), mais estudos randomizados são necessários.

Abstract Introduction: For papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients, the reported incidence of lymph node metastasis is as high as 40%, and these occur mainly in the central compartment of the neck. Because these metastases are difficult to detect using ultrasonography preoperatively, some authors advocate routine central neck dissection in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients at the time of initial thyroidectomy. Objective: To evaluate whether prophylactic central neck dissection can decrease the local recurrence rate of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma after thyroidectomy. Methods: The publicly available literature published from January 1990 to December 2017 concerning thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection versus thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma was retrieved by searching the national and international online databases. A meta-analysis was performed after the data extraction process. Results: Four studies were finally included with a total of 727 patients, of whom, 366 cases underwent thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection and 361 cases received thyroidectomy only. As shown by the meta-analysis results, the recurrence rates in cases of thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection were approximately 1.91% and were significantly lower than those with thyroidectomy only (OR = 0.24, 95% CI [0.10, 0.56], p = 0.0009). Conclusion: For patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection is a safe and efficient procedure and it results in lower recurrence rate. Since the evidences are of low quality (non-randomized studies), further randomized trials are needed.