Cervical Lymph Node Dissection

There are three main types of neck dissection surgery.

Radical neck dissection: All the tissue on the side of the neck from the jawbone to the collarbone is removed. The muscle, nerve, salivary gland and major blood vessel in this area are all removed.

Modified radical neck dissection: This is the most common type of neck dissection. All lymph nodes are removed. Less neck tissue is taken out than radical dissection. This surgery may also spare the nerves in the neck and, sometimes, the blood vessels or muscle.

Selective neck dissection: If cancer has not spread far, fewer lymph nodes have to be removed. The muscle, nerve and blood vessel in the neck may also be saved.

Who needs a neck dissection?

The lymph system carries white blood cells around the body to fight infection. Cancer cells in the mouth or throat can travel in the lymph fluid and get trapped in the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are removed to prevent cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and to decide if any more treatment is needed. 

Your doctor may recommend this procedure if:

• You have cancer of the mouth, tongue, thyroid gland, or other areas of the throat or neck.
• Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
• The cancer may spread to other parts of the body.

After the procedure

You will be taken to the recovery room to wake up after surgery.

The nurses will help you get out of bed and move around a little on the day of the surgery. You may start physical therapy while you are in the hospital and after you go home.

Most people are home from the hospital in 2 – 3 days. You will need to see your doctor for a follow up visit in 7 – 10 days.

Healing time depends on how much tissue was removed.