Objective: To investigate the application value of meticulous capsular dissection in thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods: The data of 75 patients with DTC undergoing total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection from March 2011 to March 2015 were reviewed. Meticulous capsular dissection was applied in all patients for identification and preservation in situ of the parathyroid glands, and timely intraoperative parathyroid autotransplantation was performed in those with severe ischemic or inadvertently dissected parathyroid glands. Results: Of the 75 patients, all parathyroid glands were intraoperatively identified and preserved in situ in 46 cases, and 2 or 3 parathyroid glands were preserved in situ in the remaining cases. Twelve hours after operation, some patients had mild numbness in the lip and hands or feet, or slight convulsions, but no dyspnea, shock or other serious complications occurred in any of them. The serum calcium in 18 patients was lower than 2.0 mmol/L on one month after operation, the serum calcium in 11 patients was less than 2.0 mmol/L on 2 to 3 months after operation and the serum calcium in all patients was higher than 2.0 mmol/L on 4 to 6 months after operation. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 16 to 18 months, and in all of them, the serum calcium was higher than 2.0 mmol/L, and no clinical symptoms of hypocalcemia were noted. Conclusion: Using meticulous capsular dissection in thyroidectomy for DTC patients can help accurately identify and as maximally as possible preserve the parathyroid glands in situ.