Lateral Lymph Node Dissection
What is a lateral lymph node dissection?
In patients who have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, the lymph nodes running along the side of the neck are sometimes removed as part of the cancer operation. This is called a lateral lymph node dissection.
Why might I need a lateral lymph node dissection?
If you have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer where the disease has or is suspected to have spread to the lymph nodes in the lateral compartment of the neck
What does lateral lymph node dissection surgery involve?
Lateral lymph node dissection is performed at the same time as thyroid cancer surgery.
The scar is usually longer than a scar from thyroid surgery alone.
Further information about lateral lymph node dissection
What are the risks of lateral lymph node dissection?
You may experience some numbness to the surrounding neck skin
Bleeding
Infection
Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism – you will be given compression stockings to wear during your hospital stay and a calf compressor machine will be used during the operation to reduce the risk of clot
Seroma – a build op of fluid at the site of surgery
Chyle leak – chyle is a fluid that runs between lymph nodes in lymphatic channels. One of the major lymphatic channels is the thoracic duct which can leak after a lateral neck dissection.
Injury to nerves including:
Accessory nerve: resulting in difficulty moving your shoulder
Rarely injury to the marginal mandibular nerve resulting in weakness at the corner of mouth or injury to the hypoglossal nerve resulting in altered movement of the tongue