Preservation of Spinal Accessory Nerve during Radical Neck Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Radical Neck Dissection done in cases of squamous carcinoma of the head and neck with cervical metastases leads to significant morbidity due to the 'shoulder syndrome' arising from denervation and atrophy of the trapezius muscle supplied by the Spinal Accessory Nerve (SAN). Preservation of the SAN (described as Modified RND Type 1) has been described by various workers.
METHODS: We present our experience with 24 patients of squamous carcinoma of the head and neck with cervical metastases. MRND Type 1 was performed in those cases where the SAN was not involved by metastatic disease.
RESULTS: The SAN could be preserved in all the patients who were cN0, cN1 and cN2. Only one patient who was cN3 required sacrifice of SAN as the nerve was infiltrated by metastatic disease. Shoulder function was good where SAN was preserved. Conclusion : This procedure is oncologically safe and morbidity associated with the "Shoulder Syndrome" was prevented.