Endoscopic and open operation for cN0 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma: An analysis of 164 cases        LIU Yang*， WANG Ping，WANG Yong，et al. * Department of Thyroid Surgery， the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University，Zhengzhou 450052，China
Corresponding author: WANG Ping，E-mail: wpycg@medmail.com.cn
Abstract    Objective    To explore the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic operation for cN0 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods    The data of 164 cases of cN0 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma aged 20 to 50 years old performed operation between April 2010 and July 2011 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided into two group including 105 cases in traditional operation group and 59 cases in endoscopic operation group. The complications and the lymph node numbers of two groups were analyzed statistically. Results    There was no significant difference in complications about voice hoarseness, hydroposia bucking and hypocalcemia between the two groups (P>0.05). There were 273 lymph nodes resected in endoscopic operation group (average 4.6 lymph nodes per case). There were 605 lymph nodes in traditional operation group （average 5.8 lymph nodes per case）. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). All the cases were followed up for 12 to 28 months with the mean of 19 month，during which no case had recurrent tumor. Conclusion    Endoscopic operation for cN0 stage papillary thyroid carcinoma is safe and feasible，which has the good curative and cosmetic effects