Modified and Radical Neck Surgery

The multiple anatomic structures of the neck are encased in a relatively small region. In turn, radical neck operation is designed as an extirpative procedure directed toward removal of lymph nodes potentially involved by metastases. The operation follows distinct anatomical boundaries, with each unit or compartment dissected with preservation of the important structures contained within. The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the technique of a standard “classical” radical neck dissection with an emphasis on unit, or compartmental, approaches to the dissection, including an outline of the important anatomic structures of each compartment.