Aim: Right retroesophageal lymph nodes (RRLNs) should be involved in central lymph nodes (CLNs) dissection in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study assessed the incidence and factors related to RRLNs metastasis.
Methods: From January 2008 to March 2010, 129 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with CLNs dissection including RRLNs were enrolled. The predictive value of RRLNs metastasis was assessed.
Results: Twenty six (20.1%) of 129 patients exhibited nodal metastasis in RRLNs. Metastasis of RRLNs was associated with large tumor size (>1 cm; P<0.01), multiplicity (P=0.03), preoperative LN enlargement (P<0.01), metastasis of non-retroesophageal lateral LN (P<0.01) and large number of CLNs metastases (P<0.01) in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (>1 cm) and metastasis of non-retroesophageal lateral LN were independent correlates of RRLNs metastases.
Conclusion: RRLNs may be removed during operation for PTC, particularly in patients with tumor >1 cm and lateral LN metastases.