The posterolateral neck dissection. Technique and results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of the posterolateral neck dissection in providing regional control of metastatic disease to the posterior triangle from head and neck primary tumors as part of a multidisciplinary treatment approach.


METHODS
A case series review of 55 patients treated over a 10-year period form 1982 through 1991 with a minimum of 3 years of follow-up. Factors evaluated included site and histologic type of primary tumors, extent of surgery performed, other therapies provided, pathologic findings, and clinical outcome.


METHODS
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.


METHODS
Forty-six male and nine female patients were studied. Three of them had bilateral dissections, for a total of 58 operations. Thirty-five were diagnosed as having melanoma; 10, squamous cell carcinoma, and 10, various other histologic types.


METHODS
All patients underwent a posterolateral neck dissection, either alone or as part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan.


METHODS
Factors reviewed were recurrence, either at the primary site or at a regional site, development of distant metastases, and surgical morbidity.


RESULTS
Our review showed that, overall, disease was controlled at the site of the primary tumor in 89% of patients (94% of patients with melanoma) and that regional disease was controlled in 93% of patients (89% of patients with melanoma). Surgical morbidity was minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
The "functional" posterolateral neck dissection as practiced at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is effective surgical therapy that provides control of regional metastatic disease to the posterior neck from head and neck primary tumors.
Diaz
E M
EM
Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
Austin
J R
JR
Burke
L I
LI
Goepfert
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome