Elective Neck Dissection in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The status of cervical lymph node is important factor influencing the prognosis of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. There has been some controversy regarding the treatment of clinical N0 neck in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, and the purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes and efficacy of the elective neck dissection. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Authors analyzed outcomes of elective neck dissection by a retrospective study with a review of medical records of 41 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients who had clinical N0 neck. RESULTS: The overall rate of occult neck metastasis was 27%, and the rate of occult metastasis beyond T2 stage was 45%. The occult metastasis rates of the primary sites in the oral tongue, floor of mouth and retromolar trigon were 26.7%, 40% and 33.3%, respectively. Three cases had bilateral occult metastasis and other three had nodal recurrence after elective neck dissection. CONCLUSION: Because there were high occult neck metastasis rate but no significant postoperative complications in using the elective neck dissection, it could be used in T2, T3 or T4 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with clinical N0 neck.