title: A meta-analysis of margin size and local recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Excision margins for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are poorly understood. Close (<5mm) and involved (<1mm) pathological margins are key indicators of the need for adjuvant treatment. This review aimed to assess the impact of pathological margin size on local recurrence rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for studies that looked at local recurrence following excision of primary OSCC without adjuvant therapy. Five studies met the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrence rates were pooled to give a 21% absolute risk reduction (95% confidence interval 12-30%, p=<0.00001) in local recurrence with margins clear by more than 5mm. Unweighted pooled recurrence rates were 20% in patients with margins clear by more than 5mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that a 5mm pathological margin is the minimum acceptable margin size in OSCC.
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: c.anderson@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline Rachael
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sisson
authors.affiliation: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moncrieff
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
keywords: Excision margins; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Pathology