RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effect of a conservative neck dissection in patients with head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 patients, who underwent a conservative neck dissection for the treatment of oral cancer from January 2002 to December 2007, were included. All procedures were performed by one oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The mean age was 58.2 years (range, 19 to 79 years). The medical recordings, pathologic findings, and radiographic findings were evaluated. The mean follow up period was 41.1 months (range, 4 to 88 months). RESULTS: 1. Oral cancer was more common in men than women with a 3:1 ratio. 2. Histopathologically, squamous cell carcinoma(83%) was the most prevalent oral cancer in this study. 3. The most common primary site was the tongue(6 cases, 25%) followed by the mouth floor (5 cases, 21%), buccal mucosa (3 cases, 13%), lower lip, mandible, palate (2 cases, respectively) and salivary gland, retromolar area, oropharynx, alveolus (1 case, each). 4. Three out of the 24 (13%) subjects had a recurrence at the primary sites. 5. Two out of 24 (8%) subjects had a distant metastasis. 6. All 24 patients survived and there were eleven patients who passed 5 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A conservative neck dissection is a reliable and effective method for controlling neck node metastases in patients with oral cancer of the N0 or N1 neck node without serious complications.