Question

What is selective neck dissection?

Hint:

Selective neck dissection is preferred in many head and neck cancers to balance effective treatment and preservation of function.

Answer 1

Selective neck dissection is a surgical procedure used to remove lymph nodes and surrounding tissue from specific levels of the neck while preserving important structures such as the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. It is typically performed for the treatment of head and neck cancers, particularly in cases where there is suspected or confirmed metastasis to the lymph nodes.
- Unlike radical neck dissection, which involves the removal of all lymph nodes and adjacent structures, selective neck dissection aims to remove only the nodes at specific levels based on the location of the cancer.
- The goal of selective neck dissection is to achieve adequate treatment of cancer while minimizing morbidity by preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.