Optimal extent of prophylactic central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: Comparison of unilateral versus bilateral central neck dissection

Contralateral paratracheal node dissection may be not indicated for prophylactic central neck dissection in clinically node-negative unilateral PTC because the rate of contralateral paratracheal node metastasis is low and transient hypoparathyroidism is higher following bilateral dissection.