The impacts of various types of neck dissection on postoperative shoulder function for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

To compare the impact of various types of neck dissection on postoperative shoulder function. The shoulder functions of 66 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and cN0 necks who underwent various types of neck dissection were evaluated by Constant's shoulder function test and neck dissection impairment index at least 12 months after surgery. The patients with accessory spinal nerve reserved had better shoulder function than those with accessory spinal nerve resected. In the group with accessory spinal nerve reserved, the patients receiving selective neck dissection (SND) showed better shoulder function than those with modified radical neck dissection (MRND). The shoulder dysfunction and pain arising from SND were minor in patients with selective neck dissection. The shoulder function after SND was superior to those after RND and MRND.