Background There have been arguments over the efficacy of elective unilateral central neck dissection (CND) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) <1 cm who underwent hemithyroidectomy. This study was designed to investigate locoregional recurrence and postoperative complications related to elective unilateral CND for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods Five hundred thirty‐seven patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy, with or without CND for PTMC, were included. We compared locoregional recurrence and postoperative complication rates between 138 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy only (CND group) and 399 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy with elective unilateral CND (CND+ group). Results Recurrence was observed in 32 patients. Twenty‐two patients with recurrence were in the CND+ group and 10 were in the CND‐ group. Recurrence rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .434). Conclusion Concomitant unilateral elective CND did not enhance outcomes of hemithyroidectomy for the treatment of PTMC.

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