Functional neck dissection - review of the literature and our experiences

Functional neck dissection is in the world and here, method of the choice in the treatment of malignant tumors in the oropharingeal region. During period of 2002 to 2005 in the Department for otorinolaryngology and maxilofacial surgery of the Clinical center Zemun, 43 patient were hospitalized for carcinomas of orofaringeal and laryngeal region, and were treated by functional lymph nodes neck dissection with removing surrounding tructures. Neck dissection were: radical neck dissection (monoblock) (12 patients), selective neck dissection (12 patients), functional neck dissection (6 patients), and suprahioid dissection of the neck region (13 patients). Primary needed conditions for this operative procedures are: precise tumor localization, malignant tumor gradus, absence/presens of metastatic lymph nodes and patients good general health. This method indicates direct and clouse work between surgeon and pathologist, with aim to avoide residuas and recidives.