Neck Dissection

Neck Dissection is an operation designed to remove groups of neck lymph nodes for treatment of cancer that has spread from a primary site elsewhere in the head and neck region.

Neck Lymph Nodes

Neck Nodes are divided into seven different levels. There are 5 levels in the lateral compartment and 2 in the central compartment. The 5 lateral levels are shown below

Primary tumours in various individual sites tend to spread to different nodal levels often in a predictable manor. For example skin tumours from the lip and anterior face tend to spread to Level I and Level II and/or other levels subsequently, while melanomas on the posterior scalp tend to spread to nodes at levels 2-5, and thyroid cancers tend to most commonly involve nodes at levels 4 and 6.

Outcome is affected by the number, size, and position of lymph nodes involved. Cancer also has the ability to grow beyond the confines of the lymph node capsule into surrounding tissues: this is known as extranodal spread (ENS) or extra-capsular spread (ECS) and it is a bad prognostic factor. Usually the larger the node the higher the chance of extra-nodal extension.

Primary Tumours

The types of Head and neck cancers that spread to neck lymph nodes include:

Squamous Cell Skin Cancers and Melanoma of the face, scalp, and neck

Thyroid Cancers

Salivary Gland Cancers

Mouth and Throat Cancers

Types of Neck Dissection

There are several types of Neck Dissection:

Selective Neck Dissection

Level I-III (Supraomohyoid)

Level I-IV (Extended supraomohyoid)

Level II-IV (Lateral)

Level II-V (Posterolateral)

Level VI (Central)

Level VII (Superior mediastinal)

Comprehensive Neck Dissection

Modified Radical

Radical

Comprehensive Neck Dissection

A comprehensive neck dissections involve removal of all five lateral lymph node levels (levels I-V) and is usually performed for clinically detectable neck metastases particularly if these are multiple or large nodes at several levels. A Radical Neck Dissection involves removal of lymph node from levels I-V, as well as the sterno-mastoid muscle, the internal jugular vein and the spinal accessory nerve. Radical neck dissection is largely of historic interest and has largely been replaced by the Modified neck dissection which involves sparing one or more of the above non lymph node structures. This can usually be done and usually means sparing the accessory nerve, the internal jugular vein and at least part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The results of conservative neck dissection are equivalent to the results for radical neck dissection but the morbidity is much less (complications of shoulder pain, neck swelling, and deformity)

Selective Neck Dissection

During the 1980's it became apparent that recurrence rates were no different between selective dissections and more radical procedures but the morbidity of the “ selective” procedures was shown to be less.

In addition, data are now available indicating likely levels of nodal involvement for individual cancer sites e.g., lip spreading to Level 1,2 &3, posterior scalp melanoma spreading to levels 2-5, while the most common sites for facial and anterior scalp melanoma to spread to are nodes in the parotid salivary gland and level 2 -4.

Selective Neck Dissectionis the emerging as the procedure of choice for treating occult or early clinical neck metastases.

Technique Selective Neck Dissection

The incision is dependent upon which nodes are to be resected. For Levels 1-4, a ‘ hockey stick’ incision is usually made from the mastoid muscle extending down the neck and anteriorly. If parotid nodes also require dissection, this can be included as shown in Fig 1 below. For dissection of Levels 2-5, for example in the treatment of a posterior scalp melanoma with regional disease, an incision similar to Fig 2 below is required.

The incision is deepened to form flaps, important nerves are avoided and relevant nodes resected. Usually the internal jugular vein and sternomastoid muscle and the eleventh cranial nerve can be preserved but if they are involved by the cancer they also require resection. A drain is briefly required and hospital stay is usually 2-3 days.

Complications

Complications include:

Bleeding

Nerve injury

Prolonged lymph leak

Seroma (fluid collection deep to skin flaps).

NB: Although all of the above may occur, major and/or prolonged complications are unusual. Outcome is usually satisfactory and survival following such surgery is mainly dependent on the extent of the cancer at the time of treatment.

Central Neck Compartment Lymph Nodes

These nodes are of particular importance with respect to thyroid surgery. Level 6 nodes are those immediately adjacent to the thyroid, while level 7 nodes are those below the thyroid behind the sternum (Breast bone). See Fig below: