Simultaneous bilateral radical neck dissection following high-level radiation therapy

Twenty‐two patients with advanced cancer in the area of the head and neck were treated by combining major curative radiation (5000‐8000 rads) and a composite operation including excision of the primary lesion and bilateral radical neck dissection. The mortality and morbidity of combining these two treatment methods was quite acceptable and did not exceed mortality and complication rates for this type of operation done without prior radiation.