title: [Selective neck dissection for treating recurrent branchial anomalies].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of selective neck dissection in the treatment of recurrent branchial anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data of 18 patients with recurrent branchial anomalies were retrospectively analyzed. In accordance with the embryologic and anatomic features of branchial anomalies, different types of selective neck dissection were applied. With dissection and protection of important vessels, nerves and other structures, enbloc resection principles were applied to extirpate branchial lesions, scarrings and inflammatory granuloma during the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all 18 patients, 16 cases were healed with primary healing, 2 cases with local incision infection were healed after dressing changes. A temporary facial nerve paralysis occurred in 1 case with recurrent first branchial cleft fistula postoperatively, and completely recovered 2 months after operation. A postoperative temporary vocal cord paralysis occurred in 1 case with recurrent fourth branchial cleft fistula, and totally recuperated 1 month after operation. No recurrences were found in all 18 cases with a follow-up period of 12-78 months (average 35 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selective neck dissection is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the radical treatment of recurrent branchial anomalies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, 510080, China. lancer_chen@21cn.com
authors.forename: Liangsi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xinhan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Siyi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhijuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Xiaoning
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Shaohua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jiandong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult