Role of Neck Dissection in Organ-Preservation for Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The surgical approach to the neck in laryngeal cancer depends on the tumor site and stage. Clinical practice guidelines recommend elective neck dissection in ≥ T2 N0 and all supraglottic cancers; however, there is no evidence supporting these recommendations. The objective is to evaluate the results of bilateral elective neck dissection in patients with glottic cancer who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). Thirty-five patients diagnosed with ≥ T2 N0 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in a single-center retrospective study. Right-sided neck dissections yielded 900 lymph nodes, none of which were positive for metastatic disease. Left-sided neck dissections yielded 949 lymph nodes, one of which was positive for malignancy. Prelaryngeal (Delphian) neck dissection was performed in all patients. Out of 50 lymph nodes removed; one was positive for malignancy. Median overall survival was 172 months, and the 60-month overall survival was 87.3%. The 60-month disease-specific survival was 97.1%. Bilateral neck dissection and Delphian node dissection showed a low rate of metastasis (2.8%). Radical neck dissection may thus represent overtreatment; however, this surgical procedure could be justified to prevent regional recurrences.