B a c k g ro u n d. Neck metastases are the single most
important prognostic factor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell
Carcinoma. Wise approach to neck treatment is then mandatory
to give a chanche for cure.
Still, there are some issues about neck dissection that
need to be clarified.
M e t h o d s. Through a review of the literature and of
everyday clinical observations, the following issues are discussed:
Functional Neck Dissection, biopsies, nodal levels,
Selective Neck Dissections, Spinal Accessory Nerve, neck dissection
classification.
R e s u l t s. Integration of historical, anatomical, clinical
and surgical concepts and up-to-date knowledge can allow to
understand how to behave in diverse clinical situations.
Conclusions. Standardized guidelines are far to be achieved.
Wise behaviour, however, may allow to avoid some
mistakes. The aim of this paper is to make the above mentioned
issues clear and hopefully give more diffusion to concepts that
too often seem to be overlooked
