A selective neck dissection targets removal of certain lymph nodes most likely to be affected by a disorder while sparing those unlikely to be involved. Terms have changed over time depending whether the 1991 or 2001 classification has been used.
Name (1991)
Regions Dissected
SND Designation (2001)
supramyohyoid
I, II, III
SND I-III
posterolateral
II, III, IV, V, suboccipital, retroauricular
SND II-V plus suboccipital plus retroauricular
lateral
II, III, IV
SND II-IV
anterior
VI
SND VI
anterolateral
II, III, IV, VI
SND II-IV, VI
Name (1991)
Affected In
supramyohyoid
oral cancer
posterolateral
skin cancer of posterior scalp or upper neck
lateral
orophyarngeal, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal cancer
anterior
thyroid cancer
anterolateral
laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers below the level of the glottis
Additional selective dissections can be used depending on the precise location and type of tumor. These may include superior mediastinal, retropharyngeal or other groups.
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