Preservation of great auricular nerve in neck dissection / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To discuss the role of preservation of great auricular nerve during neck dissection in improving the quality of life of the patients and to study the anatomic marks of the great auricular nerve.METHODS Preservation of great auricular nerve during neck dissection was performed in 157 sides of the neck.The feeling changes in auricular and occipital areas were observed.The anatomic relationship between the great auricular nerve and accessory nerve at the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured in 115 sides.According to whether to follow the operative steps decided in neck dissection,72 sides with same neck dissection levels were divided into group A and group B.The surgical time of the two groups were recorded.RESULTS At the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle,the great auricular nerve located under the accessory nerve and above the external jugular vein in 100% patients.The distance between the great auricular nerve and accessory nerve was 0.1 to 1.9cm.There was a significant difference in surgical time between the two groups (P