Surgical approach and outcomes for revision surgery of the central neck compartment

Revision surgery of the central neck compartment is still a controversial subject, and data are scarce in the literature regarding surgical approaches and outcomes. This might be a result of the small number of patients in need of revision of the central neck compartment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to document the approach and outcomes for revision surgery of the central neck compartment performed in our clinic. The files of patients who had undergone revision surgery of the central neck compartment in the Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, between 2007 and 2013, were evaluated. The subjects included 61 patients who had previously undergone surgical intervention in the central neck compartment and had then undergone bilateral lymph node dissection covering at least levels 6 and 7 in our clinic. Patient ages ranged between 36 and 63 years (mean, 47.2 y; SD = 8.3 y). The complications seen after revision surgery were temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 4 patients (6.6%), temporary hypocalcemia in 8 patients (13.1%), and permanent hypocalcemia in 3 patients (4.9%). No permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, wound infection, or hematoma was encountered. Meticulous surgical dissection with identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the implantation site of the parathyroid glands may safeguard against complications. Reoperative surgery in the central compartment of the neck allows the removal of recurrent/persistent disease and has acceptable morbidity.