A case series was built after review of available literature by searching four databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library) for observational studies or case reports on routine prophylactic TCT for MEN-1 and the development of thymic carcinoids.

Introduction and Importance Malignant thymic carcinoids are uncommon but important entities among patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1). Current treatment guidelines advise the performance of a routine transcervical thymectomy (TCT) during parathyroidectomy, to prevent its development, although data on the yield of this prophylactic TCT is scarce. We aimed to revisit available literature to investigate and summarize the efficacy of routine TCT during neck exploration for parathyroidectomy, for the prevention of thymic carcinoid tumours among MEN-1 patients.

Methods A case series was built after review of available literature by searching four databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library) for observational studies or case reports on routine prophylactic TCT for MEN-1 and the development of thymic carcinoids.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Studies including MEN-1 patients who underwent a routine thymectomy during parathyoidectomy

  • We accepted randomized controlled trials or observational studies that included patients of any age who underwent a routine TCT in the setting for MEN-1, published as full-length articles in peer-reviewed journals, which mentioned data on thymic carcinoid tumours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• We excluded reviews, letters, conference proceedings and non-English publications.

We accepted randomized controlled trials or observational studies that included patients of any age who underwent a routine TCT in the setting for MEN-1, published as full-length articles in peer-reviewed journals, which mentioned data on thymic carcinoid tumours.

We will not be collecting data; just studies that have already been published