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Cable grafting of the spinal accessory nerve for rehabilitation of shoulder function after radical neck dissection
Author(s) -
Weisberger Edward C.,
Lingeman Raleigh E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198708000-00005
Subject(s) - accessory nerve , neck dissection , medicine , dissection (medical) , rehabilitation , anatomy , grafting , surgery , physical therapy , materials science , carcinoma , composite material , polymer
From January 1981 through December 1985, 9 patients underwent radical neck dissection with sacrifice of the spinal accessory nerve for removal of metastatic cancer to cervical nodes followed by reconstruction of the spinal accessory nerve utilizing a cable graft from the greater auricular nerve. Shoulder function on the operated side was assessed postoperatively using a subjective questionnaire, objective strength testing, and EMG recordings. The group that had cable grafts of the spinal accessory nerve were compared to a group who had modified radical neck dissection with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve, and to a third group that had classical radical neck dissection with sacrifice of the spinal accessory nerve and no cable graft reconstruction. The group with cable grafts scored in a position intermediate between the modified neck dissection group and the classical radical neck dissection group on subjective and objective testing. Most of the patients with cable grafts demonstrated voluntary motor potentials in the trapezius muscle on postoperative EMG testing. Cable grafting of the spinal accessory nerve sacrificed during radical neck dissection results in improved shoulder function in the postoperative period. Indications and contraindications for the use of this rehabilitative procedure are presented.