The extent of lymph node yield in central neck dissection can be affected by preoperative and intraoperative assessment and alter the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CND surgical procedure, ETE, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis were independent factors of LNY. Inconsistent distribution of LNY was associated with prognosis of bilateral PTC patients. The impact of preoperative and intraoperative assessment on the actual extent of CND can be used to explain the relationship between LNY and PTC prognosis.