Shoulder pain and disability in daily life, following supraomohyoid neck dissection: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess shoulder morbidity; i.e. pain and disability in daily activities, at least 1 year after unilateral or bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 52 patients having been subjected to a supraomohyoid neck dissection completed a questionnaire assessing pain and daily activities. RESULTS: 14 (28%) patients complained of ipsilateral shoulder pain following supraomohyoid neck dissection. The disability from shoulder complaints as perceived during daily life was minor. The pain and disability experienced during daily activities led to dependency upon other people in two patients. This dependency only existed during heavy household activities. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that this type of neck dissection was developed to reduce shoulder morbidity, 28% of the patients experienced shoulder pain following supraomohyoid neck dissection. The degree of disability due to shoulder complaints, however, was minor.

Supraomohyoid neck dissection in the management of cervical lymph node metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

BACKGROUND: Supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) is generally considered an adequate staging procedure in selected patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip and oral cavity, with clinically negative nodes in the neck that are at increased risk for occult metastatic disease. The potential role of SOHND as a therapeutic surgical procedure for cervical metastasis limited to level I is controversial. METHODS: A series of 44 patients with clinical cervical lymph node metastases at level I from SCC of the lower lip is reported to evaluate the results of a treatment protocol consisting of therapeutic SOHND on indication followed by radiotherapy. RESULTS: Regional recurrences were observed in four (9%) patients. All recurrences developed within the SOHND dissected area only. CONCLUSIONS: A therapeutic SOHND, on indication followed by radiotherapy, can be an oncologically sound and effective procedure in the management of regional lymph node metastases at level I from SCC of the lower lip.