The role of elective neck dissection in patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy.

Background: We investigated the risk of neck metastases in patients undergoing salvage total laryngectomy in association with previous radiotherapy.

Methods: The medical records of 42 patients (51 neck specimens) with clinical N0 classification who underwent salvage total laryngectomy in 2 cancer centers were reviewed. Fourteen patients had previous radiotherapy to the central neck and 28 to the central and lateral neck.

Results: Staging before salvage total laryngectomy was similar in both groups. The risk of neck metastases in the central and central/lateral radiation groups was 12% and 18%, respectively (p = .69). Subgroup analysis revealed that 4 of 8 patients initially presenting with clinically N+ had neck metastases before surgery, versus 2 of 26 for those with clinically N0 (p = .015; relative risk [RR] = 4.67). The risk or metastases in the contralateral neck was 0 of 9.

Conclusion: The risk of neck metastases in patients who undergo either central or central/lateral neck radiotherapy is similar. Elective neck dissection seems appropriate in patients undergoing SLR.