title: Comparison of related complications: sentinel node biopsy versus elective neck dissection.
abstract: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is considered a feasible neck staging tool in early oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative morbidity in patients who had undergone SNB and elective neck dissection (END). Seventy-three consecutive patients were included between the years 2005 and 2009. The patients were divided into two groups according to neck management: SNB and END groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups. Shoulder function, length of the surgical scar, and the degree of cervical lymphoedema were assessed. Neck haematoma and the presence of oro-cervical communication were also analyzed. Thirty-two patients underwent SNB and 41 underwent an END (levels I-III). Seven regional recurrences were recorded in the END group. Three neck recurrences occurred in the SNB group. No significant differences were found in DFS or OS between the groups. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in shoulder function and average scar length. However, differences in degree of lymphoedema were not statistically significant. Neck hematomas and oro-cervical communications occurred only in the END group. From this study, it can be concluded that SNB presents less postoperative morbidity than END.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastián, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernando
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Private Practice, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villarreal
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Central Hospital, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Marcos
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Cabueñes Hospital, Gijón, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Central Hospital, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Consuegra
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Central Hospital, Oviedo, Spain. Electronic address: Junquera@uniovi.es.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Junquera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D015996:Survival Rate; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid
keywords: elective neck dissection; morbidity; oral cancer; sentinel node biopsy