What to expect from neck dissection for head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer can involve lymph nodes in the neck. A neck dissection removes selected nodes, sometimes with nearby tissue, so they can be examined and any known disease can be treated. The extent depends on the tumour location, imaging and surgical plan. Your team can explain whether the procedure is selective, modified or more extensive.

Before surgery, share your medicines, allergies, dental concerns and any swallowing or shoulder problems. Afterward, expect a dressing and one or more drains until output is suitable for removal. Keep the incision as instructed, attend follow-up, and practise prescribed neck and shoulder exercises. Temporary numbness, tightness, swelling or reduced shoulder movement can occur; rehabilitation may help.

Contact your surgical team for increasing redness, warmth, discharge, wound separation, fever, worsening swelling or pain that is not controlled. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, rapidly enlarging neck swelling, heavy bleeding or sudden weakness. New swallowing or speech difficulty also deserves prompt clinical advice.

Ask which lymph-node levels will be removed, whether another treatment is planned, how drains are managed, when pathology is expected, and which exercises or restrictions apply at home.