Long-term outcomes of endoscopic neck dissection in the treatment of early-stage oral cancer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic neck dissection in the treatment of early-stage oral cancer and to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: Six patients with early-stage oral cancer were enrolled in this pilot study from December 2006 to May 2007. All the patients underwent endoscopic selective neck dissection (levels I-IV) of the ipsilateral neck and partial glossectomy or hemiglossectomy as the primary treatment.

RESULTS: All endoscopic procedures were successfully performed, with important neck structures identified and preserved. All the patients survived with no persistent or recurrent disease during the 76- to 83-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicated that endoscopic neck dissection is a technically feasible and safe technique for treating early-stage oral cancer. The oncologic indications and validation should be further confirmed in patients with clinically positive neck lymph nodes in a future study.