title: Complications in head and neck surgery.
abstract: Head and neck anatomy is topographically complex and the region is densely populated by vital nerves and vascular and lymphatic structures. Injury to many of these structures is associated with significant morbidity and may even be fatal. A thorough knowledge of regional anatomy is imperative and complications need to be managed in a thoughtful directed manner. The pediatric surgeon may be called upon to address both congenital and acquired conditions and should be prepared to encounter reoperative fields after failed initial surgery. This review summarizes the current literature on four frequently encountered surgical conditions of the head and neck: branchial cleft anomalies, thyroglossal duct cyst, thyroid disease, and lymphatic malformations, with a focus on the prevention and treatment of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208062, New Haven, Connecticut 06510. Electronic address: emily.christison-lagay@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christison-Lagay
mesh_terms: D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D044148:Lymphatic Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Branchial cleft cyst; Lymphatic malformation; Thyroglossal duct cyst; Thyroid