[Functional evaluation of the selective neck dissection in patients with carcinoma of head and neck].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate comparatively the shoulder function, sensory and cosmetic changes after selective neck dissection (SND), modified neck dissection (MND) or radical neck dissection (RND).


METHODS
157 questionnaires, which involving shoulder function, skin numbness and cosmetic changes were sent to patients with SCC of head and neck who were treated with SND, MND or RND between January 1997 and May 2001. 32 eligible questionnaires were collected which included 32 patients had 43 neck dissection. Among them, SNDs were performed in 23 necks, MNDs in 11 necks and RNDs in 9 necks.


RESULTS
The shoulder disability was least in SND necks (13.0%), followed by MND necks (36.6%) and RND necks (66.7%). Similarly, permanent neck anesthetic were found in 17.4% of SND necks, 36.6% of MND necks, and 88.9% of RND necks. Last, only 17.4% of SND necks had cosmetic changes after surgery, while 90.9% of MND necks and 100% of RND necks had cosmetic changes after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients underwent selective neck dissection had the least damage to the shoulder function, skin sensory and cosmetic.
Zhang
Bin
B
Cancer Hospital (Institute), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. docbinzhang@hotmail.com
Tang
Ping-zhang
PZ
Xu
Zhen-gang
ZG
Qi
Yong-fa
YF
Wang
Xiao-lei
XL
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires