[Cervical, inguinal and abdominal lymphnode dissection]

Diagnostic lymph node dissections can be defined as a form of oncological service surgery. These procedures aim at clarification of differential diagnoses of local or systemic lymph node pathologies or contribute to tumor staging. Procedure implementation can either involve incisional biopsy, selective lymph node extirpation or regional systematic lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymph node lymphadenectomy is a focused form of selective lymphadenectomy. Both surgeon and oncologist must have a preoperative consensus and mutual understanding about the detailed purpose of the procedure in the individual patient setting. Terminology conventions must be considered in communication. Potential reasons to extend surgery should be strategically reflected prior to surgery. Interventional techniques and minimally invasive forms of surgical lymph node dissection must be technically taken into account in order to reduce procedural morbidity. Clinically indicative scenarios, pathophysiological concepts and technical options of surgical lymph node dissection are described and discussed for various anatomical regions.