Does a ent perform neck dissection?

The operating team may also include a head and neck cancer surgeon, reconstructive surgeon, anaesthetist, and other specialists, depending on the disease and the planned extent of surgery.

A neck dissection removes selected lymph nodes and, when necessary, nearby tissue from the neck. It may be recommended when cancer is found in neck lymph nodes or when the care team considers those nodes at meaningful risk of containing disease.

The operation is tailored to the lymph-node groups that need treatment. Important nerves, blood vessels, and muscles may be preserved when their removal is not required. Imaging, examination findings, biopsy results, and the location of the primary tumour guide the surgical plan.

Give the surgical team a complete medicine and supplement list, including treatments that can affect bleeding. Follow the hospital's directions about fasting and medicine use, and arrange help for transport and early recovery if advised.

After surgery, the team may monitor a wound drain, swallowing, voice, shoulder movement, and sensation around the ear or neck. Rehabilitation can include shoulder exercises, physiotherapy, speech and swallowing support, wound care, or nutrition advice according to the structures treated.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, sudden or expanding neck swelling, heavy bleeding, chest pain, or fainting. Contact the surgical team for fever, increasing redness, cloudy wound drainage, worsening pain, a drain that stops working unexpectedly, new weakness, or difficulty swallowing liquids. Use the discharge instructions for the correct contact route.

Ask which lymph-node areas are planned for removal, which nerves and muscles could be affected, and whether reconstruction might be needed. Clarify the expected hospital care, drain plan, pathology review, rehabilitation, scar care, and how the findings may influence further cancer treatment.