Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

A simple method of identifying the spinal accessory nerve in modified radical neck dissection: anatomic study and clinical implications for resident training.

PURPOSE: The major complication of neck dissection and surgery at the posterior triangle of the neck is the shoulder syndrome, which results from spinal accessory nerve injury. Erb's point (the great auricular nerve) and the point where the spinal accessory nerve enters the trapezius muscle are used to identify the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior nerve triangle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurements were made during unilateral neck dissections in 30 patients to identify the relationship between the spinal accessory nerve and great auricular nerve and the distance between the entrance of the accessory nerve in the trapezious and clavicle.

RESULTS: The distance between the spinal accessory nerve and Erb's point was ranging from 0 to 3.8 cm (mean 1.53 cm). The distance between the spinal accessory nerve entering the trapezious muscle and the clavicle was between 2.5 and 7.3 cm (mean 4.8 cm).

CONCLUSIONS: Since the great auricular nerve (Erb's point) represents a constantly identifiable landmark, it allows simple and reliable identification of the course of the spinal accessory nerve. Also useful, but of secondary importance in our opinion, is identifying the nerve at the point where it enters the trapezius muscle.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app