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Accessory nerve palsy: an uncommon etiology
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Accessory nerve palsy after neck surgery is rare but can occur. While one patient recovered fully with therapy, the other showed no improvement, highlighting the need for careful recognition and management.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Anatomy
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Accessory nerve palsy is an uncommon complication following anterior neck surgery.
- Surgical procedures in the anterior triangle of the neck carry a risk of iatrogenic accessory nerve injury.
Observation:
- Two cases of accessory nerve palsy are presented: one post-carotid endarterectomy and one post-rhytidectomy.
- Both patients received conservative management including analgesics and physical therapy.
Findings:
- Complete clinical and electrophysiologic recovery was observed in the patient who underwent carotid endarterectomy after one year.
- The patient who underwent rhytidectomy did not show significant improvement, with the reasons for this lack of recovery explored.
Implications:
- Prompt recognition of accessory nerve palsy is crucial for appropriate patient management.
- Understanding the potential for varied recovery outcomes is important for surgical planning and patient counseling.