A Clinical Study on Selective Neck Dissection

Kim, Min Sik; Jeon, Eun Ju; Sun, Dong Il; Cho, Seung Ho; Suh, Byung Do

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Selective neck dissection has been performed as a primary purpose of management for the lymph node groups that are at highest risk of containing metastasis according to the location of the primary tumor.
OBJECTIVES
We were to evaluate the clinical application and effectiveness of selective neck dissection through analysis of the medical records about treatment results and postoperative recurrences. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The medical records of 61 patients who had 86 neck dissections performed at the Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital during the period of 1993 through 1995 were reviewed.
RESULTS
Forty four selective neck dissections had been performed in 35 patients. Sites of primary tumor were 22 larynx cancers(62.9%), 5 thyroid cancers(14.3%), 4 tongue cancers(11.4%), 2 lip cancers(5.7%), 1 oropharynx cancer(2.9%) and 1 malignant melanoma(2.9%). The types of neck dissection were 29 lateral neck dissections(65.9%), 9 supraomohyoid neck dissections(19.2%), 5 anterior neck dissections(11.4%), and 1 posterolateral neck dissection(2.3%). Elective neck dissections were performed on 26 Cases(59.1%). Lymph nodes were histologically positive in 10 of 18 therapeutic neck Dissections(55.6%) and in 5 of 26 electeve neck dissections(19.2%). Recurrence in the dissected neck occured in two cases(4..5%) of selective neck dissections. Both of the two cases were larynx cancer, which developed concomitant primary and neck recurrence after lateral neck dissection.
CONCLUSION
Selective neck dissection was effective approach to neck management of head and neck cancer patients.