SHOULDER FUNCTION AFTER ACCESSORY NERVE–SPARING NECK DISSECTIONS

Abstract: Background. This study was designed to observe the effect of preserving the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) during neck dissection (ND) and adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) after ND on shoulder function. Methods. Fifty-seven patients with head and neck cancer who had undergone primary tumor resection and various types of NDs were enrolled in this prospective study. Postoperative shoulder joint range of motion was evaluated by goniometry, and muscle strength was measured manually. SAN function was evaluated with electromyography (EMG) with respect to per-centage of denervation and presence of neurogenic involve-ment. Patients were grouped by treatment as follows: radical ND (RND) versus modified radical ND (MRND)/selective ND (SND) and ART versus no ART. Results. Shoulder joint range of motion and shoulder muscl