Lateral Cervical Node Dissection in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

.1. A transverse cervical incision is made with horizontal extension towards the affected side. 2. It is dissected through the subplatysmal plane, the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is dissected along its entire length. 3. Identification and dissection of the spinal nerve at Erb's point. 4. Level V nodes are dissected up to the spinal nerve without identifying or dissecting it 5. The jugular chain nodes are identified and the left level IV nodes are dissected with special attention to ligate the lymphatics of this level 6. Identification and dissection of level III nodes 7. Identification and dissection of level IIA and IIB ganglia with identification and preservation of the accessory nerve.

"1. A transverse cervical incision is made with horizontal extension towards the affected side.~2. It is dissected through the subplatysmal plane, the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is dissected along its entire length.~3. Level V nodes are dissected up to the spinal nerve without identifying or dissecting it~4. The jugular chain nodes are identified and the left level IV nodes are dissected with special attention to ligate the lymphatics of this level~5. Identification and dissection of level III nodes~6. Identification and dissection of level IIA and IIB nodes with identification and preservation of the accessory nerve."