Background Prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)
remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine whether prophylactic CND for
PTC affected long-term survival and locoregional control. Methods This was a retrospective
cohort study of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) with bilateral prophylactic
CND. They were compared with patients who had TT without CND. Personalized adjuvant
radioiodine treatment was used in both groups. Primary outcomes were overall and disease …

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in
the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www. bjs. co. uk).
All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will
be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length