In 1902, Polya and von Navratil published a paper in German describing lymphatic drainage of buccal mucosa, alveolus, fauces, and lips. In addition, they discussed patterns of local tumor spread and metastasis to lymph nodes, on the basis of which they gave a rational plan for surgical treatment of buccal carcinoma with the aim of both cure and conservation of uninvolved tissues. Much of that paper was ignored in the English language literature and some of the contents have been misquoted. This has been to the great detriment of the surgical treatment of intraoral cancer in the English-speaking world, which has only recently accepted similar principles and practice to that described by Polya and von Navratil. This paper reviews their publication in an attempt to put their contribution into proper perspective. HEAD & NECK SUR- GERY 9:325-328,1987
Many publications in the literature record discoveries or developments that their authors consider to be new or, at least, an advance on previous understanding. The limits of language and an everincreasing number of journals make it difficult, despite computer records, to determine in many instances precisely what has been described in the past. The paper by Polya and von Navratil' is a classic example of an old publication in a foreign Acknowledgment I wish to thank Mrs Ingrid McGregor. who typed the manuscript From the Regional Plastic and Jaw Surgery Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood. Middlesex.