Complications of neck dissection and their management: Retrospective study

Abstract

Neck dissection (ND) is a surgical procedure performed in treating head and neck cancer patients with or without cervical nodal neck metastasis. The aim of neck dissection is to achieve loco-regional control thus optimizing the cancer cure rate. Various complications may potentially occur following this surgery. Previous studies done have documented the complication rate following neck dissection surgery to range between 5% to 15%. Most of the complications are inevitable and various efforts have been made to try and reduce complications by modifying the aggressive surgical procedure. The objective of this study is to report the various complications, its rate in various neck dissection procedures, their management and to seek improved patient care and outcome. : A systematic review of 73 patients who underwent neck dissection for various head and neck cancers from August 2017 to July 2020. These patients were studied for post-operative complications and their management.Out of 73 patients, Vascular injury observed in the current study was internal jugular vein (IJV) and was seen in 22.7%) cases and was repaired intraoperatively. Throracic duct injury was identified in 3(4.1%) and it was identified and ligated intraoperatively. Immediate post-operative complication being hemorrhage was seen among 2 cases, both the cases were re-opened. Marginal mandibular nerve and spinal accessory nerve injury was observed in 3 cases and they both came under the delayed type of complications.: A careful preoperative assessment, meticulous surgical technique, high quality postoperative care and appropriate rehabilitation are the cornerstone of preventing and managing complications.