OBJECTIVETo evaluate the rate of residual disease in the thyroid gland and rate of cervical lymph node metastasis after preliminary local resections in thyroid cancer.

METHODSFrom 1994 - 1999, 160 thyroid cancer patients who had previously been treated with nodulectomy or subtotal lobectomy in other hospitals were reoperated.

RESULTSThe rate of residual disease at the primary site was 42.5%. The lymph node metastatic rate at level VI was 28.1%. The rate of lymph node metastasis in those with enlarged lymph nodes in the ipsilateral internal jugular chain was 35.4%. The rate of laryngeal recurrent nerve injury was 12.5% at the first operation which is much higher than that of the second operation (1.9%).

CONCLUSIONBecause of the high rate of local residual disease, nodulectomy or subtotal lobectomy alone is not indicated for thyroid cancer. The exploration to level VI is needed for thyroid cancer. It is of utmost importance to be familiar with laryngeal recurrent nerve anatomy in thyroid surgery.