THE IMPACT OF ELECTIVE CENTRAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION ON POSTOPERATIVE PATHOLOGICAL STAGING AND SURGICAL COMPLICATION RATE IN PATIENTS WITH RESULTS OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY SUSPICIOUS FOR FOLLICULAR NEOPLASM OF THYROID

Abstract

Introduction: Follicular-patterned lesions of the thyroid are common; these include follicular adenoma, follicular cancer and follicular variant of papillary cancer. At present, preoperative discrimination between follicular adenoma and follicular cancer is infeasible and most patients require surgery to confirm diagnosis. The aim: To assess the impact of elective central lymph node dissection on postoperative pathological staging and early surgical complication rate in patients operated for suspicion for follicular neoplasm or suspicion for oxyphilic neoplasm of thyroid. Materials and Methods: Eighty consecutive patients operated between 2016–2018 in Third Department of General Surgery UJCM because of suspicious for follicular neoplasm of the thyroid were included into the study. Inclusion criteria were: the result of fine needle aspiration biopsy “ suspicious for follicular/oxyphilic neoplasm”, absence of invasive neoplasm features as follows infiltration of surrounding tissue or lymph nodes/distant metastases, informed consent. In all patients elective central lymph node dissection was performed. Surgical early postoperative complications were reported and the rate was compared between the study group and the control group consisting of patients operated on in the same period for benign nodular goitre.Results: In 10 (12,5%) patients thyroid cancer was diagnosed, including 8 (80%) patients with papillary cancer and 2 (20%) patients with follicular cancer. The most common benign lesion was follicular adenoma diagnosed in 42 (60%) patients. There were 129 lymph nodes dissected (mean 1.6 lymph node per 1 patient), all lymph nodes were clear of cancer cells. In 26 patients there were no lymph nodes in postoperative preparation. Metastatic lymph nodes were not identified in any patients of the study group with final diagnosis of thyroid cancer. No significant differences were identified in prevalence of early postoperative complications among the study group and the control group patients: unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy 3.4% vs. 1.49%; p= 0,08), hypocalcemia (5% vs. 5.4%; p=0.86), postoperative hemorrhage (1.25% vs. 0.44; p=0.29).Conclusions: Elective central lymph node dissection at experienced surgical hands does not improve postoperative pathological staging and is not associated with higher risk of early postoperative complications.