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Functional assessment using Constant's Shoulder Scale after modified radical and selective neck dissection
Author(s) -
Chepeha Douglas B.,
Taylor Rodney J.,
Chepeha Judith C.,
Teknos Theodoros N.,
Bradford Carol R.,
Sharma Pramod K.,
Terrell Jeffrey E.,
Wolf Gregory T.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10067
Subject(s) - neck dissection , medicine , surgery , radiation therapy , dissection (medical) , cancer
Background Constant's Shoulder Scale is a validated and widely applied instrument for assessment of shoulder function. We used this instrument to assess which treatment and demographic variables contribute to shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection in head and neck cancer patients. Methods A convenience sample of 54 patients with 64 neck dissections and minimum follow‐up of 11 months were evaluated. Thirty‐two accessory nerve–sparing modified radical (MRND) and 32 selective neck (SND) dissections were performed. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine the variables that were predictive for shoulder dysfunction. Clinical variables included age, time from surgery , handedness, weight, radiation therapy , neck dissection type, tumor stage , and site . Results Patients receiving MRND had significantly worse shoulder function than patients with SND ( p = .0007). Radiation therapy contributed negatively, whereas weight contributed positively ( p = .0001). Conclusions The critical factors contributing to shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection were weight , radiation therapy , and neck dissection type . © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.