Why is this procedure done?
Neck dissection is a kind of surgery done on the lymph nodes in your neck. Lymph nodes are small glands that filter your blood and help you fight infection. They are found in your neck and many other places in your body. Cancer can spread from the original site through your lymph glands and lymph system. ‚
Doctors may do a neck dissection to: ‚
- Take out groups of lymph nodes
- Remove the area around your lymph nodes that is involved with cancer
- Go along with other head and neck surgery
- Help make treatment decisions about your cancer
What will the results be?
Removal of some or all of the lymph nodes in your neck. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- The doctor makes a cut on the side of your neck. Then, the doctor takes out some or all of your lymph nodes in your neck.
- The doctor may need to take out other structures in your neck. The doctor may need to take out some muscle, nerves, blood vessels, or other glands. These will be removed if the lymph nodes are stuck to them.
- You may need a small drain tube to get rid of blood and other fluids from around the site to help healing. It will be removed a few days after your surgery.
- The cut will be closed with stitches and covered with a bandage.
- The procedure takes 2 to 4 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. Your doctor will give you drugs for pain.
- Later that day or the next day, you will get out of bed to a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- You will slowly start eating and drinking.
- You may have to stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Nerve injury
- Chyle leak ¢ ˆ ’ fluid buildup around the lung
- Seroma ¢ ˆ ’ a collection of fluid under the skin
- Swelling of the face or neck
- Problems moving the arm or shoulder on the side where you had surgery
- Neck numbness or stiffness
Where can I learn more?
American College of Radiology ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=hdneck ‚
British Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ‚
https://entuk.org/ent_patients/head_neck_conditions/neck_dissection ‚
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/metastatic-squamous-neck/Patient/page4#_29 ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-29 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Adult
- Neuromuscular and Skeletal
- Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚