Motor and sensory complications following neck dissection: a prospective telephone-interview study

To clarify incidence, progression and effect on quality of life of shoulder/neck disability, oral asymmetry, neuropathic pain and numbness following neck dissection.

This prospective telephone-interview study delivered the Neck Dissection Impairment Index, Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire, House-Brackmann Scale and questions assessing numbness to patients before and three times after neck dissection.

Mean Neck Dissection Impairment Index (6.43 vs 22.17; p = 0.004) and Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire scores (0.76 vs 2.30; p = 0.004), proportions of patients with oral asymmetry (3 per cent vs 33.3 per cent; p = 0.016), ear (5.9 per cent vs 46.7 per cent; p = 0.002), jaw (5.9 per cent vs 53.3 per cent; p < 0.001) and neck numbness (5.9 per cent vs 53.3 per cent; p < 0.001) each increased significantly from pre-operation versus 12 weeks after. Neuropathic pain diagnoses did not reach significance. No outcome returned to baseline and progression of each was illustrated over time.

The findings demonstrated that these complications are common and persist throughout short-term recovery. Screening to identify and manage complications could improve post-operative care.