Effectiveness of Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in Oral Cancers with N1 Neck

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim Lymph node metastasis in squamous carcinoma of oral cavity carries poor prognosis. Majority of patients in our country present with locally advanced malignancy which has high incidence of micrometastasis. A comprehensive neck dissection in patients with N0 and N1 neck is overkill with resultant morbidity. Lymph node metastasis from oral cavity has predictable pattern. Supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) is a one stage treatment and staging procedure in patients with locally advanced oral cancer with N0 and N1 neck. Materials and methods We are presenting a series of 117 patients with malignancy of oral cavity with N1 neck who underwent SOND, majority involved buccal mucosa. Among the 117 patients who were clinical N1 cases, 53 (45.3%) were found to have positive nodes on histopathology and 64 (54.7%) were false. Level I lymph node metastasis (77.3%) was seen in majority of the oral cancers. After mean follow-up of 30 months, 71 patients are alive and disease-free, twelve patients had local and six (5.1%) had nodal recurrences. Conclusion Supraomohyoid neck dissection in locally advanced oral malignancies with N1 neck, carries low morbidity and complications and is effective substitute for modified radical neck dissection in suitable cases. Postoperative radiotherapy improves the outcome. How to cite this article Harshita TR, Mohiyuddin SMA, Sagayaraj A, Suresh TN, Merchant S. Effectiveness of Supraomohyoid Neck Dissection in Oral Cancers with N1 Neck. Int J Head Neck Surg 2015;6(2):73-75.