Nodal yield in selective neck dissection

Author： Norling Rikke Therkildsen Marianne H. Bradley Patrick J. Nielsen Michael B. Buchwald Christian von

ISSN： 0001-6489

Source： Acta Oto-Laryngologica, Vol.133, Iss.9, 2013-09, pp. : 965-971

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

AbstractConclusion: The total lymph node yield in neck dissection is highly variable and depends on anatomical, surgical and pathological parameters. A minimum yield of six lymph nodes for a selective neck dissection (SND) as recommended in guidelines lies in the lower range of the reported clinical nodal yields. A future application of a lymph node ratio may improve the risk stratification of head and neck cancer patients. However, this will require a higher number of retrieved lymph nodes. Objectives: To compare the clinical guideline recommendations for nodal yield in SND with the number of lymph nodes obtained from cadavers and the clinical nodal yield reported in the literature. Methods: Lymph nodes retrieved from SND specimens from nine fresh cadavers were quantified histopathologically. The literature on nodal yields reportedly obtained by clinicians performing neck dissections was reviewed. Finally, the discussion makes reference to the six lymph nodes currently recommended in international clinical guidelines. Results: For clinical SNDs (I–III) the lowest mean nodal yield was 19.4, for SNDs (II–IV) it was 26.4. The cadaver SNDs (I–III and II–IV) yielded 8.8 (range 1–15) and 10.4 nodes (range 1–19), respectively.