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Radical Neck Dissection Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Radical neck dissection is a surgery to remove lymph nodes and cancer tissue in the head and neck area. There are a number of different ways the surgery can be done. Treatment may include chemo and radiation therapy. Chemo may be done before the surgery to shrink the tumor. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • You will only be able to drink liquids or eat soft foods for the first few days.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • You may need physical therapy to help make the muscles in your arm and shoulder stronger.
  • You will need speech therapy. Ask your doctor to help you set up a visit.

What lifestyle changes are needed?


  • Stop smoking. It may worsen how you feel after surgery. It also can worsen the success of the surgery and other treatment. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop.
  • Once recovering, go back to good oral care.
  • Avoid spicy, or acidic foods, caffeine, and foods that are highly seasoned even with salt.
  • Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and using alcohol-containing mouthwashes.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Prevent infection
  • Prevent or treat upset stomach and throwing up after surgery
  • Supplement vitamin and mineral needs
  • Increase spit
  • Prevent and treat mouth pain and irritation

Will physical activity be limited?


Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Dry mouth
  • Not able to speak and need a device to help
  • Need to breath through a hole in your throat
  • Numbness in neck, throat, or shoulder. It may take up to 1 year after surgery for the numbness to go away.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing or swallowing.

Where can I learn more?


American Cancer Society ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/oralcavityandoropharyngealcancer/index ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/TreatmentTypes/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiationTherapyAGuideforPatientsandFamilies/understanding-radiation-therapy-radiation-to-head-and-neck ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/UnderstandingYourDiagnosis/AfterDiagnosis/after-diagnosis-guide-toc ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GuidetoQuittingSmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc ‚  
Cancer Information Service ‚  
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/laryngeal/Patient ‚  
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/metastatic-squamous-neck/Patient ‚  

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 providers 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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