[Selective neck dissection in patients presenting clinical node metastases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results obtained with selective neck dissection in patients with clinically positive neck nodes at diagnosis (N+).


METHODS
Retrospective study of N+ patients treated with a lateral or supromohyoid selective neck dissection with prophylactic purpose (sides of the neck N0) or therapeutic purpose (sides of the neck N+).


RESULTS
Forty nine selective neck dissections were carried out in 42 N+ patients. In 18 cases the neck dissection had a prophylactic purpose (sides of the neck N0), and in 31 of them a therapeutic purpose (sides of the neck N+). In 39 patients summary was followed by postoperative radiotherapy. There was no regional relapse in either side of the neck treated with a selective neck dissection.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective neck dissections in selected N+ patients are an adequate surgical technique. The main advantages of selective neck dissections are to shorten the surgical time, and to avoid the morbility associated with the dissection of the neck zones not included.
León
X
X
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital de Sant Pau, Avda. San Antoni M Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona. xleon@hsp.santpau.es
de Juan
J
J
Costey
M
M
Orús
C
C
del Prado Venegas
M
M
Quer
M
M
D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate