Recurrence Rates After Selective Neck Dissection in the N0 Irradiated Neck

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Abstract
INCREASED UNDERSTANDING of the regional spread of head and neck tumors and a desire to minimize operative morbidity have led to the widespread use of selective neck dissection (SND) in the management of the clinically negative neck. Studies have shown this technique to be oncologically safe in this setting, with patient survival and regional control comparable to those of more extensive neck dissections.1-3 However, in the case of multiple subclinical metastases or histologic evidence of tumor spread beyond the lymph node capsule, most authors recommend adjuvant radiation therapy to improve regional tumor control.4-7