Tracer Navigated Selective Neck Dissection Versus Modified Neck Dissection in Papillary Thyroid Cancer With Limited Lymph Node Metastasis in the Lateral Neck: A Randomized, Noninferiority Phase III Trial
This study is a phase III, randomized controlled, open label non inferiority study. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria are randomly assigned 1:1 to either the experimental group (selective neck dissection) or the control group (modified neck dissection), with LRFS as the primary endpoint. The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety of selective neck dissection in papillary carcinoma with limited number of lymph node metastases in the lateral neck, and the quality of life compared with modified neck dissection.
• Pathologically confirmed PTC;
• Age range: 14-80 years old;
• Preoperative fine needle aspiration confirms lymph node metastasis in the lateral neck
• Ultrasound and CT suggest that metastatic/suspected metastatic lymph nodes are limited to compartment IV, with 1-2 lymph node metastases and \<1cm in short diameter. The lymph nodes have no central necrosis, liquefaction, peripheral enhancement, or disappearance of adjacent fat spaces (predicting unobstructed lymphatic vessels);
• Thyroid tumors without extra thyroidal extension;
• Enough thyroid volume to inject tracer.