Internal jugular vein preservation in neck dissection for pN1-N2c oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors of neck recurrence in patients with pN1-N2 neck stage, submitted to a modified radical neck dissection with preservation of the internal jugular vein.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 72 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (43 cases) and oropharynx (29 cases). The clinical stage of the neck was N1 in 23 cases and N2a-c in 49.

Results: Neck recurrences occurred in 6 cases at the side in which the internal jugular vein was preserved. Neck recurrence did not have significant correlation with tumor site (P = .391), T stage (P = .999), N stage (P = .203), adjuvant radiotherapy (P = .999), number of positive lymph nodes (P = .180), lymph nodes size (P = .429), and extracapsular spread (P = .400).

Conclusions: Modified radical neck dissection with internal jugular vein preservation can be performed in selected patients with lymph node metastases, with no significant increase on the risk of neck recurrence.