Management of the N0 Neck: Agree to Disagree?

Management of the N0 Neck: Agree to Disagree? is organized by American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

Release Date: August 10, 2022
Expiration Date: April 12, 2028

Description:
Very few topics generate as much perpetual debate on how to interrogate and surgically manage the N0 neck in the field of head and neck oncology. Over a century of clinical experience, retrospective studies and a small number of clinical trials have helped elucidate general principles for management. Yet many questions remain to be answered, particularly as OMSs attempt to move toward narrowing the gap between under treatment and over treatment. During this 60-minute webinar, participants will review the current evidence regarding surgical management, where knowledge gaps remain and the latest research efforts to fill those gaps. Preoperative imaging and tests to elucidate the clinical status of the lymph nodes will be discussed in addition the roles for observation, sentinel lymph node biopsy and elective neck dissection for the cN0 neck – all based on the latest evidence.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Discuss evidence for elective neck dissection and gaps in evidence.  
• Describe sentinel node biopsy and gaps in evidence.  
• Explain challenges with preoperative risk stratification for occult metastasis. 
• Analyze ongoing research in sentinel node biopsy. 
• Examine ongoing research on risk stratification for occult metastasis.