[Value of elective neck dissection in patients with clinically stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue].

Objective: To determine the value of elective neck dissection in patients with clinically stage I (cT1N0M0) squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with surgical treatment between November 1984 and November 1999. A total of 130 patients were included in the study, all of whom received operation of the primary site, meanwhile, 99 of whom underwent elective neck dissection simultaneously including level I -III or level I -IV neck dissection in 20 patients and level I - V neck dissection in 79 patients.