[Handling of neck dissection in head and neck tumours]

The presence of metastases in cervical lymph nodes (except distant metastasis) is the most significant independent prognostic factor in carcinoma of the head and neck. The purpose of this article is firstly to review the anatomy of the neck compartments, the types of neck dissection and secondly to describe recommendations for the technical procedures required and thus to provide a full informative report to optimise management by the clinician.