How is neck dissection surgery done?
How is neck dissection surgery done?
Neck dissections are done under general anesthesia through an incision that runs along a skin crease in the neck, extending vertically on the side of the neck.
What does Level 6 lymph nodes mean?
Level VIb encompasses inferior laryngeal nodes. Within the traditional limits of level VI, all lymph nodes lying between the inferior border of the hyoid bone and the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage belong to level VIa.
How many lymph nodes are in the neck dissection?
There approximately 600 lymph nodes in the body, and 200 of this are located in the neck. A neck dissection is useful not only to remove the cancer, but also so that the nodes can be examined by a pathologist.
What are the side effects of a neck dissection?
Side effects of neck dissection
- Shoulder stiffness and arm weakness. The accessory nerve controls shoulder movement.
- Pain. You may also have some pain.
- A thinner, shrunken and stiff neck.
- Swelling (lymphoedema)
- Chyle leak.
- Blood clot.
- Other possible effects.
- Exercises for lymphoedema.
Where are Level 6 lymph nodes located?
1—The level system is used for describing the location of lymph nodes in the neck: Level I, submental and submandibular group; Level II, upper jugular group; Level III, middle jugular group; Level IV, lower jugular group; Level V, posterior trian- gle group; Level VI, anterior compartment.
When is neck dissection needed?
You may have a neck dissection if there is a high risk of the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes in your neck. This is a surgery to remove the lymph nodes in your neck area. There are several types of neck dissections.
What happens after neck dissection?
For most people, the swelling starts to go away 4 to 5 days after surgery. You may have numbness in your neck and ear. Your lower lip or shoulder may feel weak. For most people, these problems go away in 6 to 12 months.