A neck lymph node dissection is surgery to remove all or some of the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue from the neck. Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped glands. They remove germs from your body, help fight infection, and trap cancer cells. This surgery is most often done to treat cancer of the head and neck.
You and your doctor will plan your treatment based on your wishes and the reason for your surgery. Every person's treatment is different. Sometimes surgery to remove a tumor is done at the same time. In this case, your doctor may give you other information to help you prepare for both surgeries.
You will be asleep during the surgery. Your doctor may make cuts under your chin and toward your ear, at the bottom of your neck, or in the middle of your neck. This depends on which lymph nodes must be removed. The cuts are called incisions. They are closed with stitches, staples, or skin clips. They will leave scars that fade with time.
Most people stay in the hospital for several days or longer after surgery. How long you stay depends on why you need surgery and how much tissue was taken out.
You may be able to go back to work or your normal routine a few weeks after the surgery. This depends on your job and the extent of your surgery.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
A neck dissection is surgery to remove all or some of the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue from the neck. Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped glands that act like filters. They remove germs from your body, help fight infection, and trap cancer cells. This surgery is most often done to treat cancer of the head and neck.
You may leave the hospital with stitches in your cut (incision). Your doctor will tell you if you need to return to have these removed. You may still have a tube called a drain in your neck. Your doctor will probably take this out a few days after your surgery.
The area may also be swollen, and you may have a stiff neck. 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. But sometimes these problems can be permanent. You may always feel a little numb, stiff, or weak in some areas.
If a neck muscle was removed, your neck may look flatter or thinner.
If you have cancer, you may still need other treatment after surgery, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated