Lateral Neck Dissection for Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Is Prophylactic Level V Neck Dissection Necessary? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

There were no significant associations between level V dissection and risk for recurrence. Recurrence at level V was rare (4/189 patients, 2.1%). Our study's findings suggest a low prophylactic benefit of an elective level V ND. Elective level V ND should not be done routinely when lateral ND is indicated but should rather be considered after careful evaluation in high-risk patients.