Last reviewed by Dr Jingyi Cao, FRACS — August 2026
Condition Overview
A neck dissection removes lymph nodes in the neck that may contain cancer spread from head and neck tumours. Dr Cao performs comprehensive and selective neck dissections as part of multidisciplinary cancer care, balancing complete disease removal with preservation of function.
A neck dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes from the neck when cancer has spread (metastasised) to these nodes. It is a critical component of head and neck cancer treatment.
Indications for neck dissection:
- Thyroid cancer with lymph node metastases
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (skin cancer with lymph node spread)
- Salivary gland cancers
- Melanoma with neck node involvement
- Unknown primary with cervical lymph node metastases
Surgical Approach
Dr Cao performs the full spectrum of neck dissection procedures:
- Selective neck dissection (SND) - removal of specific lymph node groups at highest risk while preserving non-lymphatic structures (sternocleidomastoid muscle, internal jugular vein, spinal accessory nerve)
- Modified radical neck dissection (MRND) - removal of all lymph node groups (levels I-V) with preservation of one or more non-lymphatic structures
- Radical neck dissection (RND) - removal of all lymph node groups along with sternocleidomastoid muscle, internal jugular vein, and spinal accessory nerve (reserved for advanced disease)
What to Expect
Before Surgery
- Comprehensive staging with CT, MRI, and/or PET-CT imaging
- Fine needle aspiration or core biopsy of suspicious lymph nodes
- Multidisciplinary team discussion (surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist)
During Surgery
- Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic
- Duration varies from 1-4 hours depending on the extent of dissection
- Nerve monitoring is used to preserve the spinal accessory and other relevant nerves
Recovery
- Hospital stay of 2-5 days, depending on extent of surgery
- Drain tubes are placed and typically removed within 2-3 days
- Physiotherapy for shoulder function if the spinal accessory nerve is affected
- Return to normal activities within 2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have a visible neck deformity?
With selective and modified radical neck dissections, the cosmetic result is usually very good. Dr Cao will discuss the expected cosmetic outcome based on your specific procedure.
Will I need other treatments?
Neck dissection is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include surgery to the primary tumour site, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
Ready to discuss your treatment options?
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