Neck dissection refers to the removal of lymph nodes and surrounding tissue from the neck for the purpose of cancer treatment.
The extent of tissue removal depends on many factors including, the stage of disease which reflects the extent of cancer as well as the type of cancer. The most common cancers removed from lymph nodes in the neck include head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, skin cancers including melanoma and thyroid cancers.. In general, the goal of neck dissection is to remove all the lymph nodes within a predefined anatomic area. Many of the lymph nodes removed during surgery will not prove to have cancer in them.
Neck dissections are done under general anaesthesia through an incision that runs along a skin crease in the neck, extending vertically on the side of the neck. Incisions are usually designed to enhance the visualisation and protection of important structures in the neck, and enable the safe removal of lymph nodes that may contain cancer.
Beneath the skin, underlying fat, and a thin layer of muscle, the dissection proceeds to identify and remove the tissue containing the lymph nodes. If the procedure requires the removal of a muscle in the neck, there may be some flattening of the neck, but removal of this muscle rarely results in significant weakness.
Neck dissections are subject to numerous potential operative complications that are common to all operative procedures, as well as complications specific to this procedure.
Several important nerves are found in the neck around the lymph nodes, and depending on the area of the neck to be operated, these nerves can be at risk for damage. The primary nerves of concern are-
Notify the RPS team immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Additional potential long-term problems include:
Some problems are attributable to nerve injury; more commonly, scarring under the skin from surgery and radiation contributes to disability. Some problems may be avoided with early and faithful adherence to a shoulder range of motion exercise program, lymphedema or speech therapy rehabilitation programs.
RPS will give you specific advice regarding your individual post-operative recovery. They will advise:
The extensive specialist skills of our surgical team ensure that you are provided with surgical options designed to maximise form and function.
Our surgeons hold an impressive array of academic credentials, extensive professional experience and a personal commitment to patient satisfaction.