Salvage neck dissection 2-4

Hi John,

I had a radical neck dissection levels 1 - 5, my experience may differ as I had mine before radiotherapy. But I was in hospital for 3 nights after a 10 hr op (note I had other bits done). I recovered well, my consultant was pleased and let me go home earlier than expected after he took my drains out. 

I was provided a website by an ENT consultant for background reading before my op. It has a section on neck dissections, it may answer some of your questions. If it helps I can provide you the link? I found it useful as it helped me process the situtation on my own time. It also allowed me to prepare questions for follow up appointments. 

I hope all goes well for you on Tuesday. 

Best wishes

Hi ejmav

many thanks for the reply

please send me the link you mentioned 

thank you

john

Hey,

The link is to the UKs Professional membership body for ENT; 

https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/23/neck_dissection#Are_there_different_types_of_neck_dissection_

I was also told to stay off google at the same time... sure he had me sussed

That’s a very comprehensive article. Useful to arm patients with the right questions to ask when being discussed with the surgeon. 

100%! I think his approach was to guide to a reliable source instead of google horrors. I honestly felt much better mentally at follow ups. 

Hi John

Wanted to send you good wishes for your op next week.  I had a neck dissection in 2013.  Different sort to yours but I was only in hospital for 4 days and recovered well.  Let us all know how you get on. 

Thank you Margaret 

I will let you know how it goes

Hi John. I had neck dissection as a stand alone op in 2018 as a precautionary measure. It was not a radical one but I did have a cut from beneath my ear down to my collar bone. The sensation in this area was affected but slightly improved over time. I also had a short term issue with being able to raise my arm up but this resolved over a few weeks with no intervention. I was only in hospital for 2 days and was allowed to go home when the drain was taken out. For me it was a fairly easy op with no pain or real long term issues other than the sensation change.

Best of luck with the op.

;Lyn

I had bilateral neck dissection and partial parotidectomy in June. I also went in on a Tuesday and came out Thursday. The deciding factor is if the drain(s) you have in your neck has stopped running. For me although there was pain ,it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and paracetamol kept it under control. Immediately after the op you will feel really fatigued which should gradually get better, as it heals expect a tightening feel in your throat and neck. As for complications it depends on individual cases in my case the facial nerve took a bashing and has caused palsy to the left side of my face which may or may not come back. I was also anxious before the op but kept telling myself it's better than the alternative.

Thank you mark