Central compartment lymph node dissection

The central compartment of the neck is a common site of local metastasis for thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, knowledge of the surgical techniques for performing a central compartment neck dissection is important for any surgeon who manages patients with thyroid cancer. The use of a standardized surgical approach to the central compartment can minimize morbidity and ensure comprehensive removal of lymph nodes within this region. This article describes the authors' method for performing a comprehensive central compartment neck dissection.