Center for Advanced Subspecialty Care and Otolaryngolgy providing otolaryngology services for Plymouth County and surrounding southeastern Massachusetts.

Lymphatic dissection of the neck is a procedure which is performed in order to remove known, or suspected lymph nodes from the neck that may contain cancer cells that have spread from a primary tumor site. Its purpose is to prevent further spread of that disease to other parts of the body, and over the past 50 years it has been proven to be an effective method of head and neck cancer control.

Complications from this surgery include wound infection and breakdown, bleeding, leakage of lymphatic fluid, injury to nerves controlling the lower face, throat, shoulder, tongue, diaphragm, and skin sensation under the ear and jaw. Except for the permanent nerve injuries, these complications can usually be successfully managed. Quality of life after neck dissection is usually only minimally affected. The major permanent undesired effects can include some shoulder weakness, and intermittent pain in the neck as well as a surgical scar. Usually these are a small price to pay for cancer cure.

Other complications are mostly related to the risks of any major surgery in older or debilitated patients, and for that reason a medical consultation may be obtained to assist the surgeon in postoperative management.

Following the lymphatic dissection of the neck, you will usually be observed in the intensive care unit, or other appropriate hospital setting overnight. One or two drains may be placed in the neck and secured to self-containing vacuumed devices. Usually a bulky neck dressing will be removed the first postoperative day, and the wound inspected. You may be asked to apply antibiotic ointment over the wound. Instructions will be given to you for the care of the wound, as well as the drains themselves.

In addition, in many cases a dermal graft, or a graft of the tissue directly underneath the skin, will be taken from one of the legs, and applied over the large artery in the neck underneath the incisions, and a clear plastic dressing will be present on the thigh.

In most cases, the patient leaving the hospital the first or second postoperative day will be very self sufficient. It is important that you keep your lungs clear with the use of the incentive spirometer which you will be given upon your discharge. We would ask that you try to remain up in a chair, or walking during the day around the house, and perhaps taking a short walk outside once or twice a day beginning on the 2nd or 3rd day post op. This is important to keep your lungs clear following surgery and general anesthesia. We do not want you lying in bed at home

>> return to top of page