Sensory Changes Associated With Selective Neck Dissection

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
CRILE1 INTRODUCED the concept of neck dissection in 1906 to optimize surgical treatment for patients with cervical lymphatic spread of head and neck cancer. In its earliest form, neck dissection routinely included removal of cranial nerve XI, the internal jugular vein, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). Various nerve-, vein-, and muscle-preserving techniques have subsequently been developed.2,3 The most recent development has been the selective neck dissection.4-7 This approach is based on the reliability of site-specific lymph drainage patterns and has been verified as oncologically sound with appropriate application of adjunctive radiation therapy.8,9 Different forms of selective neck dissection target specific nodal groups. Various types include anterolateral (taking levels I, II, III, and IV), supraomohyoid (I, II, and III), and lateral (II, III, and IV).