42. Does the facial lymph node require removal during neck dissection for oral cancer?

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) spreads via lymphatic channels, and neck dissection is a part of standard care. Removal of the facial lymph node (FLN) as part of this adds to the lymph node yield but is of unclear benefit. This procedure carries potential risk to the marginal mandibular nerve (MMN). Our aim is to clarify whether there is benefit from FLN removal.

Source: The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - December 1, 2023 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Muhammad Javed, Muhammad Javed, Nitesh Kumar, Tom Henderson, Rabindra Singh Source Type: research