Selective neck dissection of level IIB in cN0 laryngeal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The primary endpoint of the study was to quantitatively evaluate the presence of IIB neck level metastases in patients with laryngeal carcinoma, to provide valuable evidence to aid surgeons in the decision-making process for neck dissections. As a secondary aim this study analyzed the presence of factors that may be associated with a higher prevalence of metastasis.

Two independent authors (EE, MVV) searched for articles on PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases. Review of the articles was carried out following 2020 PRISMA guidelines, all articles were assessed for quality according to NICE guidelines. Afterwards the statistical analysis was performed with STATA 18SE software. Studies were also assessed for heterogeneity and risk of publication bias.

A total of 19 studies were included, from which data on 1205 subjects was extracted. Out of 997 patients with a cN0 LC, 21 patients developed metastasis. This meta-analysis found the cumulative rate of metastasis to be 1% (95% CI 0-2%). Also, there is a 51% higher probability (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 0.06, 2.92) of occult IIB metastasis in higher stages (T3/T4) compared to lower stages (T1/T2).

Dissection of level IIB may be safely spared in patients with cN0 laryngeal cancer, possibly leading to improved QoL and shoulder function as well as reducing OR times and costs.