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Injury to the brachial plexus in neck dissections
Michael Joseph Monteiro1, Keith Altman, A Khandwala
1Royal Sussex County Hospital, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. michaeljmonteiro@yahoo.co.uk
The British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Brachial plexus injury is a rare complication following neck dissection surgery. This case highlights a C5 and C6 nerve root lesion resulting from radical neck dissection.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Surgical Oncology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Neck dissection is a surgical procedure for head and neck cancers.
- Complications can arise, including injury to surrounding neural structures.
- The brachial plexus is a network of nerves crucial for arm and shoulder function.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male patient underwent radical neck dissection.
- Postoperatively, the patient exhibited symptoms indicative of nerve damage.
- Diagnostic evaluation revealed a lesion affecting the C5 and C6 nerve roots.
Findings:
- The patient's C5 and C6 nerve roots were injured during the radical neck dissection.
- This specific injury pattern suggests a potential vulnerability of these nerve roots during the procedure.
- The case confirms brachial plexus injury as a rare but possible complication.
Implications:
- Awareness of this complication is crucial for surgeons performing neck dissections.
- Careful surgical technique may help mitigate the risk of brachial plexus injury.
- Further research into preventative strategies and management of such injuries is warranted.
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