Zur Notwendigkeit der chirurgischen Berücksichtigung der Level I und IIB im Rahmen der Neck Dissection bei Plattenepithelkarzinomen des Oropharynx, des Hypopharynx und des Larynx

Neck dissection of level I and level IIb requires time-consuming preparations and is accompanied by heightened morbidity. However, the question arises when dissection at patients suffering from oropharynx-, hypopharynx- or larynx-squamous cell carcinoma can be abandoned without risking deterioration of the resulting oncological outcome. In the present study low rates of metastasis of levels I and IIB in patients with oropharynx-, hypopharnyx and laryinx-caricnoma and clinical N0 neck could have been proven. These findings result in a recommendation of selective neck dissection and conversation of level I and IIB in these cases. Contrary, patients suffering from a oropharynx-, hypopharynx- or larynx-carcinoma and clinical N+ neck had comparatively high rates of metastasis of level I and IIB. Both regions should be included in neck dissection in cases of N+ -situation.