What are the levels of neck dissection?

It involves the removal of the suboccipital lymph nodes, retroauricular lymph nodes, upper jugular lymph nodes (level II), middle jugular lymph nodes (level III), lower jugular (level IV), and the nodes of the posterior triangle of the neck (level V).

What is a Level 1 neck dissection?

Dissection. Submandibular and submental dissection (Level I) If perifacial lymph nodes do not require removal, the superior skin flap is raised to the inferior aspect of the submandibular gland. The fascia over the gland is incised, and the posterior facial vein is ligated and divided.

What is Level 6 neck dissection?

This operation involves excision of the level VI lymph nodes (selective neck dissection [VI]). The procedure is indicated for the treatment of cancers of the thyroid gland (see image below), hypopharynx, cervical trachea, cervical esophagus, and subglottic larynx.

What is the functional neck dissection?

Functional neck dissection (FND) is a safe surgical approach for the treatment of nonpalpable and palpable mobile nodes in patients with head and neck cancer. The operation is technically difficult and requires a thorough knowledge of cervical anatomy. FND is based on the fascial compartmentalization of the neck.

What is a level 7 lymph node?

Level VII lymph nodes are defined as lymph nodes in the anterior superior mediastinum and the tracheoesophageal grooves, extending from the suprasternal notch to the innominate artery [10].

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.

Is neck dissection a major surgery?

Neck dissection is a major surgery done to remove lymph nodes that contain cancer. It is done in the hospital. Before surgery, you will receive general anesthesia. This will make you sleep and unable to feel pain.

What does Level 3 lymph node mean?

Answer. Level III nodes are located between the hyoid superiorly and a horizontal plane defined by the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage. The sternohyoid muscle marks the anterior limit of level III, and the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is the posterior border.

What is the history of neck dissection for head and neck cancer?

The history of the neck dissection for head and neck cancer stretches back nearly two centuries. Even in the early 19th century, physicians were aware of the poor prognosis associated with cervical metastases in head and neck cancer.

What is the difference between selective and extended neck dissection?

The selective neck dissection refers to any procedure which removes one or more levels of the neck based on patterns of cervical metastasis. Finally, an extended neck dissection refers to any neck dissection that removes additional structures of lymph nodes from areas not addressed in radical neck dissection.

What is a prophylactic neck dissection?

Prophylactic neck dissections are also utilized for any clinically negative head and neck tumor that has a greater than 20% chance of having occult metastasis to the neck.

When was the lymphatic resection of the neck first used?

Other surgeons had advocated for the removal of the lymphatic tissue of the neck, but it was Dr. George Crile’s 1906 article that described en bloc resection of the cervical lymph nodes for a clinically positive nodal disease that is credited with the first description of the technique.