Intraoperative needle localization during neck reexploration.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent cervical adenopathy can be difficult to identify intraoperatively during a neck reexploration. Although local preoperative imaging techniques are available, these are not useful in the operative theater. METHODS: We introduce an intraoperative technique of ultrasound-guided needle localization to identify and guide the resection of suspicious cervical lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This intraoperative approach to localizing the suspicious lymph node under ultrasound-guided needle localization makes surgical extirpation of lymph node metastasis easy.