5. Radical
neck
dissection
Removal of lymphatic tissues in levels I to V
along with the SCM, IJV, and spinal
accessory nerve (SAN)
American Head and Neck Society neck dissection classification
6. Modified
radical
neck
dissection
Removal of lymphatic tissues in levels I to V
with preservation of one or more non-
lymphatic structures:
Type I: Preservation of SAN
Type II: Preservation of IJV, SAN
Type III: Preservation of SCM, IJV, SAN
7. Extended
neck
dissection
Removal of additional lymphatic tissue
and/or non-lymphatic structures not
normally removed in a radical neck
dissection
Selective
neck
dissection
Preservation of one or more lymphatic
levels as well as non-lymphatic structures
normally removed in a radical neck
dissection
8. Generic steps for all neck dissections
• Painting and drapping.
• Positioning of the patient.
• Choose appropriate incision according to the surgeon
preference.
• Adequate exposure and therefore suitable access to
the complete operative field.
9. Radical neck dissection
Radical neck dissection is a technique of monoblock
removal of regional cervical lymph nodes from the
lateral neck for malignant tumors involving the upper
aerodigestive tract.
10.
11. Indications for a classical radical neck
dissection
1. Significant operable neck disease (N2a, N2b, N3) with
tumour bulk near to or directly involving spinal accessory
nerve and/or internal jugular vein.
2. Extensive recurrent disease after previous selective
surgery or radiotherapy.
3. Clinical signs of gross extra nodal disease.
12. Contraindications for a classical radical
neck dissection
1. Untreatable primary tumor or unresectable neck
disease.
2. Patient unfit for major surgery.
3. Distant metastases
4. Simultaneous bilateral neck dissection.
14. Surgical boundaries
Superiorly- The inferior border of the mandible
Anteriorly- The contralateral anterior belly of the
The hyoid bone (median ridge)
The sternohyoid muscle
Inferiorly – The clavicle
Posteriorly – Anterior border of the trapezius muscle
diagestric muscle
15. Surgical Technique
• The patient typically is in the supine position, with
the head and chest elevated to 30°.
• The neck is hyperextended and turned to the
contralateral side.
16. The single trifurcate incision is most commonly used for
the radical neck dissection. It can be extended to
accommodate resection of the primary tumor.
17. • Dissection done in subplatysmal plane with No 10
blade.
• It is important to keep platysma in skin flap as it
provides important blood supply and strength to
wound in the postoperative period.
• Removed only if invaded.
• Rake retractor or double skin hooks used to retract
platysma.
18. • During the dissection of upper neck, two branches of
facial nerve should be preserved.
– Marginal Mandibular Nerve
– Cervical Branch
• Both nerves curve downwards below and in front of
the angle of the mandible across the facial vessels
about one finger’s breadth below the mandible.
20. • Easiest way save these nerves is expose the capsule of
the lower part of the submandibular gland.
• The fascia can then be elevated as a flap over the
mandible taking the nerve with it.
• Then the flap is sutured superiorly.
21.
22. • Lower end of internal jugular vein
• Junction of lateral border of clavicle with lower
edge of trapezius
• Upper end of internal jugular vein
• Submandibular triangle
Major corners of consternation
24. First area of special attention: The
lower end of the internal jugular
vein
25. • The lower end of the internal
jugular vein is approached
first by continuing dissection
along the upper border of
the clavicle from trapezius
muscle to the suprasternal
notch.
26. • The supraclavicular nerves and vessels (such as the
external jugular vein) are divided as well as the
sternocleidomastiod muscle.
27. • The internal jugular vein lies between the sternal and
clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastiod muscle and
dividing the muscle fibres just above the clavicle reveals the
vein.
28. • This can be done by using blunt-tipped scissors, isolating
the muscle by pushing the scissors under the
sternocleidomastiod muscle and then keeping the
scissors in place to protect the underlying vein, the
muscle can be cut.
29.
30. • After dividing the sternocledomastoid muscle, the
blueness of the internal jugular vein can be seen as
the vein lies within the carotid sheath.
31. • The carotid sheath is opened and the internal jugular
vein is exposed for at least a few centimeters in order
to allow for adequate access for ligation.
• The position of the vagus nerve is verified before
ligation of the internal jugular vein.
• Three ligating sutures, are placed around the vein,
upper end of the vein and lower end of the vein.
32.
33. • Tansfixation suture on lower end is known as
HOUSEMAN’s SUTURE (since, if it fails in the early
hours of the morning following surgery, it is the
houseman who knows about it first)
• The bleeding injured vessel should be identified and
occluded temporarily with pressure or arterial
clamps and the defect repaired using 6.0 Ethilon.
34. • Adequate finger pressure and trendelenburg position
of the patient should be maintained before clamping
and ligating the vein.
35. • When performing a neck
dissection on the left side
of the neck, one should be
alert between the IJV,
subclavian vein and the
clavicle because of the
thoracic duct.
Thoracic
duct
Subclavian
vein
36. • After ligation of the vein, the carotid artery and
vegus nerve are carefully retracted medially allowing
for dissection of the IJV and its associated lymph
node.
37. • Once the IJV has been tied the dissection extends
laterally towards Chaissaignac’s triangle.
• Its defined as the triangle between where the longus
colli and scalenus anterior attach to the tubercle of
C6 (Chaissaignac’s or carotid tubercle) with the
subclavian artery as the base.
39. • Here are found scalene node which should be
removed.
• Main jugular lymph duct that terminates here on the
left side with the thoracic duct.
• If the duct damaged, noticeable by extra clear fluid
welling up into the dissection area, the source should
be found and transfixed.
40. Second area of special attention:
Junction of clavicle and anterior
border of trapezius
41. • Divide the lower end of
sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• Identified the IJV.
• Ligation and dissection of the
lower end of the IJV and
dissection from the carotid
sheath.
42. • Deeper to the omohyoid, the
transverse cervical artery and
vein are found as they run
laterally across the floor of the
posterior triangle and ligated.
• Both the artery and particularly
the vein have small branches
across the anterior border of
trapezius muscle. Omohyoid Transverse
Cervical
artery
Trapezius
muscle
43. • Dissection is then continued further, either sharp or
blunt with a swab, on to the underlying level of the
prevertebral fascia overlying the scalene muscle.
44. • Directly under prevertebral
fascia , the phrenic nerve and
the brachical plexus are seen.
• As long as the fascia is not
breached, these structures
are protected.
45.
46. • Chaissaignac's triangle cleared off disease now.
• Once the supraclavicular dissection has been completed
towards the anterior border of trapezius, the operation
continues in an upwards direction to dissect the posterior
triangle.
47. Dissection of the posterior triangular
• The dissection continues upwards following the
anterior border of the trapezius muscle to the
uppermost point of the triangle at the mastoid tip
where the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid meet.
48. • The anterior border of the trapezius muscle
represents the lateral border of the dissection.
• Floor of the posterior triangle is formed by the
prevertebral fascia overlying the deeper muscles of
the neck- the splenius capitis (cranially), medial,
anterior and posterior scalenus muscles and the
levator scapulae.
49. • It is important before dissecting the posterior triangle
that the SAN is identified.
• There are a number of ways to identify the nerve,
based on its anatomical trajectory and surgical
landmarks.
50. • It exits the lateral border of the SCM at the junction
of its upper third with the lower two-thirds.
• This is known as Erb's point and can be identified 1
cm above the point where the Greater Auricular
Nerve winds around the muscle on its way to supply
the parotid fascia.
52. • Once identified, the nerve may be mobilized.
• The dissected tissue now hinges on the mastoid and
skin insertions of the sternocleidomastoid muscle;
these are dissected as well as the lower lobe of
parotid gland at the level of the angle of the
mandible.
53. Third area of special attention: The
upper end of the internal jugular
vein
54. • Divided the upper end of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle in the third area.
• Retract the posterior belly of digastric muscle
upwards.
• Posterior belly of digastric muscle as known as
resident’s friend – is cleared and using a Langenback
retractor, it can be retracted superiorly exposing IJV
and accessory nerve.
55.
56. • It is not usually necessary to remove the posterior
belly of the digastric muscle unless wider access into
level II is required.
• Before tying any ligatures, the Vagus and
Hypoglossal Nerves should be identified and
preserved.
57.
58. • The Hypoglossal Tunnel is a particularly useful
landmark when tumour is stuck near the carotid
bifurcation.
• The Occipital Artery crosses the Posterior Part of the
Internal Jugular Vein and this should also be ligated
now to prevent further troublesome bleeding.
59.
60. Upper end of the internal jugular vein identified and
ligation done
61. • Dissection across the carotid bifurcation may cause
bradycardia and changes in blood pressure due to
triggering of the carotid sinus lying within the
bifurcation.
• Once the IJV has been ligated and dissected at the
upper end, the surgical specimen is mobilized by
working both from a cranial and caudial direction.
• Dissection continues anteriorly along the border of the
mandible.
62. Fourth area of special attention: the
submandibular triangle
63.
64. • The contents of the triangle, including lymph nodes
and fatty tissue must be removed leaving behind
clean muscles that form the boundaries.
• Dissection of the submandibular triangle is usually
begun in the midline, by dividing the fatty tissue on
to the dissection plane of the anterior belly of the
contralateral digastric muscle.
66. • The anterior part of the submandibular gland is
identified and is dissected to the posterior border of
the mylohyoid muscle.
• The upper border of the submandibular gland is
freed by tying and dividing the vessels, including the
facial artery, that cross the lower border of the
mandible
67. • The mylohyoid muscle is retracted in a forward
direction to reveal the submandibular duct and, at
this point, the lingual nerve is pulled down in a
curve.
• The latter is freed by dividing the fascia around the
submandibular ganglion.
68.
69. • The lingual nerve is identified, and two artery
forceps are placed below it to divide the branch to
the submandibular ganglion.
• The submandibular duct is tied and divided and
during both of these procedure, the hypoglossal
nerve is kept under direct vision to avoid any
damage.
70.
71.
72.
73. Closure
• Two large drains are placed through the posterior
flap and securely tied.
• Drains should never cross the carotid sheath, be cut
to the correct length and kept well away from any
microvascular anastomosis.
74. • Finally, make a check for any chylous leak, any
bleeding from the veins accompanying the
hypoglossal nerve .
• The wound is closed in two layers with an absorbable
Vicryl stitch to the platysmal layer and the skin then
closed using either interrupted or continuous sutures
of Ethilon.
76. What is modified RND
• Removal of lymphatic tissues in levels I to V with
preservation of one or more non-lymphatic
structures.
– Type III: Preservation of SCM, IJV, SAN
– Type II: Preservation of IJV, SAN
– Type I: Preservation of SAN
• MRND is analogous to the “functional neck
dissection” described by Bocca.
77. Rationale
• Modifications of the classic RND aim to reduce
postsurgical neck pain and shoulder dysfunction
encountered when the spinal accessory is resected
without compromising adequate oncologic treatment.
• Sacrifice of the SCM and IJV is less debilitating.
78. • SCM preservation - improves cosmetic appearance
and protects the carotid artery if adjuvant
radiotherapy is employed.
• Preserving the IJV becomes more significant in
patients requiring bilateral neck dissections.
79. MRND Indications
Type I – Removal of Level
I to V + IJV + SCM but
preservation of Spinal
Accessory Nerve
1. Operable palpable neck
disease (usually N1, N2a,
N2b) not involving SAN.
2. Occasionally for N0 neck
80. Type II - Removal of
Level I to V + SCM only
Same as for Type I particularly
for a second side operation
when there is need for
microvascular anastomosis.
Type III – Removal of
only Level I to V lymph
nodes
1. N0 neck
2. Differentiated thyroid cancer
MRND Indications
83. Preserving spinal accessory nerve
• If the accessory nerve is to be preserved , extra care
should be taken when the skin flap of the posterior
triangle is developed, as the nerve runs at a superficial
level and is therefore close to the plane of dissection.
84. • The accessory nerve supplies the innervation of the
trapezius muscle.
85.
86.
87. • Once the spinal accessory nerve has been
completely exposed, the tissue lying superior and
posterior to the nerve must be dissected from the
splenius capitis and levator scapulae muscles.
• The tissue is pulled in an anteroinferior direction
toward the spinal accessory nerve.
88. • It must be emphasized that the lymph nodes that are
now being removed are located between the spinal
accessory nerve and the internal jugular vein.
• This region corresponds to the ill-defined boundary
between level II and the upper part of level V.
89.
90. • The occipital artery are identified, ligated and
divided at this stage.
• Once the dissected tissue reaches the level of the
spinal accessory nerve, it must be passed under the
nerve to be removed in continuity with the main part
of the specimen.
• Osvaldo Suarez referred to this step of the operation
as ‘‘the spinal accessory maneuver’’
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96. Sparing of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle
• Preservation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
requires mobilization of the deep inserting fascia
from the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle and dissection of the muscle from the fascia
below allowing for upward retraction of the muscle
using loops or retractors.
97. • The dissection itself is continued under the
sternocleidomastoid muscle in the same way as one
would proceed as in a radical neck dissection.
98. • Prior to approaching the fascia of the
sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular
vein must be ligated and divided.
• Usually, three sections of the external jugular vein
are required in functional and selective neck
dissection.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103. Sparing of the internal jugular vein
• Preservation of the internal jugular vein requires
careful dissection along the surface of the vein.
104. • As in radical neck dissection, the vein is located
preferably first in the lower neck, after having
completed the dissection across the clavicle from
trapezius to suprasternal notch.
• The supraclavicular nerves and vessels (such as the
external jugular vein) are divided as well as the
sternocleidomastoid muscle.
• The sternocleidomastoid lies directly over the
internal jugular vein.
112. Selective Neck
Dissection
Levels dissected Main Indications
Lateral II – IV T2-T4,N0 SCC larynx,
Oropharynx and
Hypophaynx
Posterolateral II – V plus Post.
Auricular
Skin Ca (SCC, Melanoma)
posterior to line of tragus
113. Anterior /
Central
VI Differentiated Thyroid
Ca,Subglottic,
Hypopharyngeal SCC
Superior
Mediastinal
VII Differentiated and
Medullary Thyroid Ca
,Subglottic, Laryngeal,
Hypopharyngeal SCC 3.
Cervical Oesophageal Ca
114. Supraomohyoid Type (Level I-III)
• The supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) is the
most commonly performed selective neck dissection
for the treatment of the N0 neck.
• It involves the en bloc removal of cervical lymph
node groups I-III.
116. Indications
• SOHND is indicated in patients with primary tumors
arising from the oral cavity without clinical or
radiologic evidence of cervical metastasis but who
have a high probability of occult lymphatic disease.
• The oral cavity includes the area between the
vermillion border of the lips and the junction of the
of the hard and soft palate superiorly and the
circumvallate papillae of the tongue inferiorly.
117. • Subsites in the oral cavity include
– The lips
– Buccal mucosa
– Upper and lower alveolar ridges
– Retromolar trigone
– Hard palate
– Anterior two thirds of the tongue
– Floor of mouth.
118. • Bilateral SOHND is indicated in patients who have
carcinomas of the anterior tongue or oral tongue and
floor of mouth that approach or cross the midline.
• SOHND is indicated along with parotidectomy in
patients with squamous cell carcinoma.
121. • There has been a significant increase in concern
towards improving aesthetic and functional
outcomes without compromising the oncologic
effectiveness in head and neck surgery.
122. • Up till now, there is only limited evidence available
on endoscopic and robotic neck dissection via a
retroauricular approach.
123.
124.
125.
126. Advantages of Retroauricular approach
• Provided sufficient working space for the robotic arm
• Less invasive
• Completely hidden scar
• Benefits in functional aspects such as drainage of
lymphedema
128. Endoscopic neck dissection
• Endoscopic neck dissection is a new set of surgical
procedures aiming at removing a varied number of
lymph nodes and lymph node bearing tissues of the
neck through small incisions with endoscopic
instruments and techniques.
131. Debate and controversy continue to exist in the
following areas:
1. Treatment of level IV in patients with N0 necks and
carcinoma of the oral tongue
2. Supraomohyoid neck dissection: diagnostic or
therapeutic?
132. Controversies
3. Management of carotid artery with involvement in
cervical metastases
4. Salivary gland- preserved or excised ?
133. • The complex anatomy makes neck dissection a tricky
procedure to perform.
Removal of lymphatic tissues in levels I to V along with the SCM, IJV, and spinal accessory nerve (SAN)
Despite the resultant esthetic and functional morbidity of a classical radical neck dissection, certain indications do exist for using this surgical procedure.
Ex encasement of ICA, brachial plexus, prevertebral fascia)
4) Preserve one IJV
Thus, preoperative radiological evaluation to assess these areas is desirable; however, often the extent of such involvement is only apparent during intraoperative exploration
Its effecting during skin incisions and also helps in greater identifications of the primary side of the neck
The skin incision is made with a scalpel and the dissection proceeds thereafter with electrocautery.
(may lead to weakness of lower lip).
Protection to the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve- the facial vein is divided and slung superiorly to protect the marginal mandibular nerve (right side). fv, facial vein; mn, marginal nerve; F, fascia retracted upwards; SG, submandibular gland; PG, parotid gland. (Hayes Martin)
Dissection of the lower end of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Carotid sheath which contain IJV, INTERNAL JUGULAT VEIN, the vagus nerve and usually also branches of the ansa cervicalis
Ligation of the internal jugular
vein.
The main danger of a torn IJV is not the blood loss but the possibility of air embolism.
At the end of the operation, it is important to return to this point and check that there are no further leaks.
Ligation and dissection of the lower end of the internal jugular vein
The phrenic nerve descends from lateral to medial through the neck over the anterior scalenus muscle and the brachial plexus emerges from between the medial and anterior scalenus muscles. If bleeding occurs in this part of the dissection, bipolar diathermy should be used because of the proximity of the nerves.
A note of caution should be made not to exert excessive traction when dividing the supraclavicular tissue as it is possible to inadvertently pull the subclavian vein out of the upper chest with obvious consequences.
Retraction of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle to show the upper end of the internal jugular vein (third area of special attention).
The vessels and nerve to the mylohyoid muscle are identified, divided and ligated as the contents of the submental triangle are elevated.
Retraction of the mylohyoid medially and the submandibular gland inferolaterally allows identification, division, and ligation
of the lingual nerve secretomotor fibers, Wharton’s duct, and the proximal portion of the facial artery.
Same time if the gland reflect inferiolaterally the floor of the submandibular triangle becomes visible with the lingual and hypoglossal nerve overlying the deep plane formed by the genioglossus and hyoglossus muscles.
Ligation of the facial artery and vein done. Retraction of the superior stumps of the facial artery
and vein provides further protection of the marginal mandible branch of the facial nerve, which is thereafter elevated with the skin flap.
eg. Differentiated Thyroid cancer.
Boundaries of a complete functional neck dissection on the right side of the neck. ML, midline; BM, inferior border of the mandible; C, clavicle; TM, trapezius
muscle; ga, great auricular nerve; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; sm, strap muscles; pm, platysma muscle; ej, external jugular vein; aj, anterior jugular vein; SG, submandibular gland.
Several methods to identify and locate the nerve can be used.
These methods are based on the anatomical trajectory of the nerve and on the use of surgical landmarks.
the nerve exits from its trajectory through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, approximately at the junction of the upper third and lower two-thirds of the sternocleidomastoid and runs in a caudolateral direction to the anterior border of the trapezius.
Surgical field prepared for the dissection of the spinal accessory area on the right side of the neck. SC, Sternocleidomastoid muscle; IJ, Internal jugular vein; sa, spinal accessory nerve; hn, hypoglossal nerve; mn, marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve; fv, facial vein; SG, submandibular gland; pg, tail of the parotid gland; F, fascia dissected form the upper part of the surgical field.
To approach this area the sternocleidomastoid muscle is retracted posteriorly, and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle is pulled superiorly with a
smooth blade retractor (Fig. 4-26). The wet surgical sponges previously left over the nerve at the level of its entrance in the sternocleidomastoid muscle are removed and the nerve is dissected
toward the carotid sheath.
Usually, the internal jugular vein lies immediately behind the proximal portion of the nerve. However, on some occasions the nerve may go behind the
vein or even across it. These anatomical variations should be kept in mind to avoid unintentional damage to the internal jugular vein when following the spinal accessory nerve.
Posterior retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle distorts the theoretic limits between level II and the upper part of level V on an area without significant anatomic landmarks. The dotted lines show the variability of the boundaries between these two levels (right side). the surgeon must be especially careful during this step of the operation to avoid missing potentially metastatic lymph nodes behind.
The spinal accessory nerve is completely exposed in the upper part of the field on the right side of the neck. sa, spinal accessory nerve; IJ,
internal jugular vein; oa, occipital artery; SC, Sternocleidomastoid muscle; , fibrofatty tissue of the upper jugular and upper spinal accessory regions.
The nerve is exposed between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the internal jugular vein.
The fibrofatty tissue lying posterior and superior to the nerve is passed under the nerve. sa, spinal accessory nerve; IJ, internal jugular vein;
SG, submandibular gland; dm, digastric muscle; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; ls, levator scapulae muscle; S1, specimen from the submandibular and
upper jugular area; S2, specimen from the upper spinal accessory and posterosuperior jugular area.
The spinal accessory maneuver has been completed. A final cut is made anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (- - - - - - - -), between the spinal
accessory nerve and the level of Erb’s point (right side). SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle retracted posteriorly; sa, spinal accessory nerve; S, specimen from the upper jugular and spinal accessory area. a final cut is made in this area that will help further dissection
Artist’s view of the spinal accessory maneuver on the right side of the neck. sa, spinal accessory nerve; IJ, internal jugular vein; S, specimen; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; sp, splenius capitis muscle.
The neck dissection is more difficult to perform if the sternocleidomastoid muscle is preserved and it is often wise for the surgeon to consider the merit of its preservation.
(1) at the tail of the parotid gland, where the external jugular vein begins by the union of the retromandibular and posterior auricular veins;
(2) at the external surface of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; and (3) supraclavicular fossa : at a later step of the
operation, within the posterior triangle of the neck when this nodal region is included in the dissection
Longitudinal Incision of the fascia over the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the right side. Note the posterior placement of the incision with respect to the
muscle. SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; SG, submandibular gland; ej, external
jugular vein; ga, great auricular nerve. This cut is made with a number 10 knife blade and
must be placed near the posterior border of the muscle
The fascia of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is dissected medially. The external jugular vein is included in the fascia (right side). ej, external
jugular vein; F, fascia; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Fascial retraction should be done with extreme care because the thin superficial layer of the cervical fascia. is the only tissue now included in the specimen.
Lateral retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
allows the dissection of the medial surface of the muscle. The dissected fascia is carefully pulled medially (right side). IJ, internal jugular vein shinning through the fascia; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; F, dissected fascia; tm, trapezius muscle; SG, submandibular
gland.
After dividing the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the blueness of the internal jugular vein can be seen as the vein lies encompassed within the carotid sheath.SC, Sternocleidomastoid muscle retracted laterally; IJ, Internal jugular vein shining through the fascia
The carotid sheath is opened and the internal jugular vein
is exposed.
Lower end of the ijv exposed by lateral retraction of the SCM.
The upper part of the internal jugular vein is also identified by superior retraction of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and by dissection along the internal jugular vein the vein can be dissected from the surrounding tissues
over its entire course through the neck.
Artist’s view of the neck after right functional neck dissection. IJ, internal jugular vein; fv, distal stump of the facial vein; CA, carotid artery; st, superior thyroid artery; SG, submandibular gland; PG, parotid gland; TG, thyroid gland; oh, omohyoid muscle; sh, sternohyoid muscle; dm, digastric muscle; sp, splenius capitis muscle; ls, levator scapulae muscle; as, anterior scalene muscle; SC, sternocleidomastoid muscle; sa, spinal accessory nerve; vn, vagus nerve; pn, phrenic nerve; hn, hypoglossal nerve; BP, brachial plexus; tc, transverse cervical artery; , deep branches of the cervical plexus.
a Retroauricular incision design The incision is designed in the lower portion of the postauricular sulcus arching toward the middle to upper 1/3rd of the sulcus before transitioning across and downward into the hairline; the portion of the incision in the hairline is set ½ to 1 cm into the hair bearing area. b Working space for neck dissection. c Setup for endoscope-assisted neck dissection. d Setup for
robotic-assisted neck
Robotic neck dissection (left side - levels I–III). A. Level Ib: dissection of marginal branch. B. Level IIa: dissection of XII nerve and
internal jugular vein. C. Level Ib: dissection of XII nerve. D Level Ib: dissection of lingual nerve0
In the field of head and neck surgery, the first endoscopically assisted operation was performed by Gagner in 1996
Finding solutions and consensus in these areas will be the challenge of the years to come.