Incidence and Clinical Analysis of Complications of Neck Dissection

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the incidence of complications related to type of neck dissection to different variables. Retrospective study was conducted on patients who reported to our craniofacial centre between 2010 and 2019 and underwent neck dissection for evaluation of complications related to it. Records of all patients were analysed for complications which were alienated into intra-operative, immediate post-operative (within 10 days) and post-operative complications. 256 patients, 141 male and 115 female aged between 25 and 70 years operated for squamous cell carcinoma were included. The overall incidence of complications was 32.8%. Intra-operative complications were haemorrhage 14%, nerve injury 5.4%, inadvertent internal jugular vein ligation 0.3%, chyle leak 0.3%. No incidence of carotid blow out. Immediate post-operative complications were hematoma formation 7%, salivary fistula in 2.3% and re-exploration was done in 1.5% cases. Post-operative complications noted were wound dehiscence in 22.6%, infection in 20.7%, hematoma in 2.7%, salivary fistula in 11.7% and nerve injury in 0.3% cases. Neck dissection is a challenging and therapeutic procedure. Prevention of major complications like carotid blow-out, injury to brachial plexus, vagus nerve or hypoglossal nerve requires thorough knowledge of neck anatomy.

Keywords: Complications; Head and neck surgery; Neck dissection; Oral cancer.

Fig. 1

Inadvertent internal jugular vein ligation

Fig. 2

Re-exploration

Fig. 3

Wound dehiscence

Fig. 4

Salivary pooling

Fig. 5

Facial nerve palsy