Factors influencing nodal yield in neck dissections for head and neck malignancies

ObjectiveA standard lateral neck dissection should yield at least 18 lymph nodes. The goal of the present study was to examine what factors might influence the number of lymph nodes retrieved during a neck dissection. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary academic referral centre for head and neck oncology. Two hundred and nineteen consecutive neck dissections were examined. Age of the patient and primary site were recorded, along with tumour histology, previous radiotherapy and final nodal count. ResultsThe mean age was 62.2 +/- 13.0 years. The most common primary site was the oral cavity (38.8 per cent). The mean number of lymph nodes was 30.63 +/- 13.9. In total, 17.8 per cent had undergone previous radiotherapy. The mean number of lymph nodes was 33.26 +/- 13.27 in patients with no previous radiation exposure and 18.47 +/- 9.46 in those with previous radiation treatment. ConclusionLymph node yield from a neck dissection is likely multi-factorial in nature. Previous radiotherapy, the only significant contributor, led to a mean reduction of lymph node yield from 33.3 to 18.5.