The routine use of a sentinel node biopsy (SNB) protocol in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been challenged on the basis of the elevated number of sentinel nodes (SNs) detected (>2.5) and on the multiply neck level involvement reported in several studies. These data limit the practical application of the protocol, because in such cases, it seems easier
and safer to perform a selective neck dissection.
The aim of our study is to perform radioguided surgery 1–3 h after lymphoscintigraphy (same day protocol) to detect the lymph nodes closest to the tumour site. In our study, 12 patients aVected by cT1-2 N0 SCC of the oral cavity were submitted to a same day protocol of a lymphoscintigraphic examination (1–3 h before surgery) and a radioguided SNB. We used a hand-held
gamma probe and performed an elective neck dissection on all patients. The SNs were found in all cases with 83% localised in the ipsilateral neck in only levels I–II. The mean number of SN detected was 2.1, with a mean pathological size of 13.8 mm measured on pathological specimen. Metastases were found in 5/12 cases (41.6%), on levels I, II and III and all were identiWed
by step serial sectioning and routine H&E staining.
This study conWrms the accuracy of SNB in predicting the presence of occult metastases. This protocol is designed to detect SNs, which are almost always on neck level I and II, thereby limiting the number of nodes examined and the extension of the surgical approach.
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