Abstract: Objective:To determine the clinical features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and the risk factors for central compartment lymph node (CCLN) metastasis in PTMC. Methods:Data of 1 401 patients with PTMC who were treated in Tianjin Medi -cal University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2014and December 2014were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to study the risk factors.Results: With regard to clinicopathological features, the sex ratio is 1:3. 4 in patients with PTMC. CCLN metastasis affected 427 (30. 5%) of the total 1 401 patients. Age ( χ2= 14. 587 , P<0. 01), sex ( χ2= 21. 636 , P<0. 01), tumor multifocality ( χ2=35. 505 , P<0. 01), tumor size ( χ2= 58. 868 , P<0. 01), tumor site ( χ2=8. 385 , P<0. 05), and extracapsular/extraglandular invasions (χ2=26. 481 , P<0. 01) were significantly correlated with CCLN metastasis. For patients with a soli -tary primary tumor, tumor location in the lower third of the thyroid lobe was associated with a higher risk of CCLN metastasis ( 48. 1%). The male gender, age < 45years, tumor size > 6 mm, extracapsular spread, and tumor bilaterality were independently correlated with CCLN metastasis. Conclusion: A prophylactic neck dissection of the central compartment must be considered particularly in male PT-MC patients with age <45years, tumor size > 6 mm, extracapsular spread, and tumor bilaterality.