Introduction

Due to the extensive lymphatic crossover of the head and neck, bilateral cervical lymphadenectomy is recommended when staging oral tumors. This technique is frequently performed through a ventral cervical non-selective regional lymphadenectomy. The purpose of this study was to report complications and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing cervical regional lymphadenectomy for staging in dogs with maxillofacial tumors.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed from five academic referral hospitals from 2012–2020 with at least one ACVS Fellow of Surgical Oncology. All supervising surgeons had performed >5 cervical regional lymphadenectomy procedures. Patients were included if they underwent a standard ventral cervical approach with bilateral removal of at least one mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph node per side through a single ventral cervical incision. A minimum follow-up period of 2 weeks was required for inclusion.

Results

Seventy-five dogs met the inclusion criteria. Primary tumor location included mandible (28), maxilla (27), lip (15), tongue (4), and unknown (1). A median of six (range 4–8) lymph nodes were removed per dog. At the time of discharge, facial swelling was documented in 35 dogs (46.7%) and cervical swelling in 28 (37.3%). At suture removal, one dog had persistent facial swelling and a seroma was present in 13. Three dogs (4%) developed a cervical abscess that required debridement.

Conclusion

Head swelling frequently occurs in patients undergoing regional cervical lymphadenectomy, although etiology may be multifactorial. This swelling appeared to be self-limiting and resolved by 14 days postoperatively in most cases. Seroma formation was common and may persist beyond suture removal.