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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Modified Radical Neck Dissection for Cervical Metastasis
Published on: February 20, 2026
Effectiveness of modified radical neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy
N Zwetyenga1, J-C Fricain, H Demeaux
1Department of Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. nzwetyenga@gmail.com <nzwetyenga@gmail.com>
Background And Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified radical neck dissection with preservation of non-lymphatic structures usually removed in advanced-stage head and neck epidermoid carcinoma associated with postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).
Methods:
We analyzed retrospectively the files of 109 patients, presenting with epidermoid carcinoma of the upper digestive/respiratory tract staged N2 or N3, over a 6-year period. The rates of regional control, mortality, and recurrence were analyzed and linked to the kind of neck-dissection (usual radical neck dissection [RND], modified radical neck dissection [MRND], selective neck-dissection [SND]) performed.
Results:
Forty-three neck dissections were RND, 92 were MRND, and 21 were SND. PORT was used in all cases. The mean follow-up was 57.3 months. The overall rate of regional control was 93.6% (97.7% for RND and 93.5% for MRND; p=0.35). Patients having undergone MRND had a better prognosis and less recurrence then patients having undergone RND (respectively p=0.007, and p=0.0004).
Discussion:
MRND in association with PORT is an effective treatment in patients with advanced head and neck epidermoid carcinoma staged N2 and N3.