Surgical outcomes of 111 spinal accessory nerve injuries

Iatrogenic injury to the spinal accessory nerve is not uncommon during neck surgery involving the posterior cervical triangle, because its superficial course here makes it susceptible. We review injury mechanisms, operative techniques, and surgical outcomes of 111 surgical repairs of the spinal accessory nerve.

This retrospective study examines clinical and surgical experience with spinal accessory nerve injuries at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center during a period of 23 years (1978-2000). Surgery was performed on the basis of anatomic and electrophysiological findings at the time of operation. Patients were followed up for an average of 25.6 months.

The most frequent injury mechanism was iatrogenic (103 patients, 93%), and 82 (80%) of these injuries involved lymph node biopsies. Eight injuries were caused by stretch (five patients) and laceration (three patients). The most common procedures were graft repairs in 58 patients. End-to-end repair was used in 26 patients and neurolysis in 19 patients if the nerve was found in continuity with intraoperative electrical evidence of regeneration. Five neurotizations, two burials into muscle, and one removal of ligature material were also performed. More than 95% of patients treated by neurolysis supported by positive nerve action potential recordings improved to Grade 4 or higher. Of 84 patients with lesions repaired by graft or suture, 65 patients (77%) recovered to Grade 3 or higher. The average graft length was 1.5 inches.

Surgical exploration and repair of spinal accessory nerve injuries is difficult. With perseverance, however, these patients with complete or severe deficits achieved favorable functional outcomes through operative exploration and repair.