[Extended supraomohyoid neck nodes dissection in early nodal stages of oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell cancer].

Background: Extended supraomohyoid neck nodes dissection (ESOHND) involves surgical resection of nodal levels from I to IV. The incidence of occult metastases in level V is rare and mainly depends of the location and size of the primary tumour in oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to present the results of treatment with extended supraomohyoid neck dissection.

Methods: The records of 72 patients with cancer of the oral cavity undergoing extended supraomohyoid neck dissection (ESOHND) during the period 15.12.2003 - 13.06.2005 were reviewed.

Results: Tumor and nodal stage were: T2-9(13%), T3-39(54%), T4-24(33%), N0-14(19%), N1-31(43%), N2-25(35%), N3-2(3%). 64 patients were treated with surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The follow-up period ranged from 11 to 27 months. The surgical failure rate was 8% (occurred in 6 of 72 patients).

Conclusions: Preliminary analysis suggests extended supraomohyoid neck nodes dissection to be considered as a therapeutic and diagnostic procedure in patients with squamous cell cancer of oral cavity and oropharynx.