Modified neck dissection in treatment of thyroid cancer: a safe procedure.

Differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid metastasizes early and frequently to cervical lymph nodes. Radical neck dissection performed electively or therapeutically results in high cure rates. Modified neck dissection consisting of a single transverse incision, resection of the jugular chain of nodes and those in the posterior triangle of the neck with preservation of the sternomastoid muscle, the spinal accessory nerve and the submandibular salivary gland provides a cosmetic, functional result with minimal morbidity. In a series of 313 neck dissections for thyroid carcinoma, only three patients with papillary or follicular carcinoma, which was resectable, treated by thyroidectomy and modified neck dissection died of disease.