[Comparative study of functional neck dissection and radical neck dissection for early oral squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical effects of functional neck dissection(FND) and radical neck dissection(RND) on early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

A total of 63 OSCC patients were divides into 2 groups. Patients in FND group (n=30) underwent functional neck dissection with preservation of sternocleidomastoid muscle, accessory nerve, internal jugular vein and great auricular nerve, while patients in RND group (n=33) underwent radical neck dissection. The follow-up data included movement of shoulder joint, great auricular nerve function, neck shape and local recurrent rate. SPSS 18.0 software package was used for data.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in age, gender, tumor location, T stage, N stage, histologic grades, pathological type, preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy between the two groups(P>0.05). Cervical lymph nodes was not palpable(N0) or the diameter was less than or equal to 3cm(N1) for all patients. Compared to RND, the activities of shoulder joint point, earlobe numbness and neck concave deformity were significantly improved with FND(P<0.05). Patients were followed up for 2 years, no significant difference was observed for neck recurrence between the two groups(P=1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

FND can be safely performed in cN0 or cN1 OSCC patients, which avoids major complications with RND, and improves postoperative quality of life for OSCC patients with NO or N1 stage.