Audit of the rates of re-excision for close or involved margins in the management of oral cancer

The need for re-excision of close or involved margins after the resection of oral cancer is debatable. This audit comprised 640 consecutive patients over an 11-year period with at least five years ’ follow up. A total of 213 patients (33%) had resection margins that were clear (5 mm or more), 314 (49%) were close (1 - 4.9 mm), and 113 (18%) were involved (0 - 0.9 mm). Re-excision rates were 7 (2.2%) in the close and 12 (10.6%) in the involved groups. No re-excised close margins contai ned residual cancer, but four patients had had re-excised involved margins.
Source: The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Short communication Source Type: research