Abstract:Objective To evaluate the application and value of nanocarbon tracer in the surgical treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological data of 165 PTMC patients who underwent thyroid cancer surgery at Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022 was conducted. Patients were divided into the nanocarbon group (n=87) and the conventional group (n=78) based on whether carbon nanoparticles suspension was used during the surgery. Surgical data (such as operation time, blood loss, drainage volume), pathological data (number of lymph nodes and the number of positive nodes), and serological indicators (parathyroid hormone and blood calcium) were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of drainage volume, length of hospital stay, blood loss, and operation time (P＞0.05). The nanocarbon group had a higher number of cleared lymph nodes (7.9±2.1 vs 5.4±1.3，t=9.069，P＜0.01) and positive lymph nodes (2.1±1.1 vs 1.4±1.0，t=4.259，P＜0.01) than the conventional group, and the levels of parathyroid hormone and blood calcium at 1 day and 1 month after surgery were higher in the nanocarbon group compared to the conventional group (P＜0.05). During the outpatient follow-up at 1 month after surgery, both groups had lower serum thyroglobulin values, but the difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). Conclusion Nanocarbon tracer can improve the clinical benefits of PTMC surgery and is safe and effective.