Outcome Assessment of Shoulder Function After Selective Neck Dissection Following Cervical Plexus Preservation A Prospective Comparative Analysis

Abstract

newline Oral cancer is a major health concern and it ranks among the top three types of cancer in the Indian subcontinent. The single most important factor affecting prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma is the status of the cervical lymph nodes. Metastasis to the regional lymph nodes reduces the 5-year survival rate by 50% compared with that of patients with earlystage disease. With regard to functional outcome after neck dissection, pain and weakness of the shoulder which may leads to Shoulder dysfunction was common morbidity in oral cancer survivors, directly reflected in their postoperative quality of life. Sacrifice or injury of the spinal accessory nerve leads to temporary or permanent denervation and atrophy of the trapezius muscle with the onset of shoulder disability. To avoid such complications, neck dissections preserving the SAN or autologous nerve grafting after sacrificing the SAN have been performed. AIM: The aim of this research is to evaluate the role of the cervical plexus after selective neck dissection on shoulder function in oral cancer patients newlineA Prospective Observational Study was conducted among Oral Cancer Patients over the Period 2 Years (From April 2022 to March 2024) in Hospital Based Setting to to evaluate the role of the cervical plexus after selective neck dissection on shoulder function in oral cancer patients with the Study Groups of Group I [Cervical Plexus Sparing] and Group II [Cervical Plexus Preserving] with 50 samples in each group. The data analysis was done using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows Version 20.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) to assess the Range of motion scores, motor function of trapezius muscle, Functional shoulder status and Shoulder disability between two groups. RESULTS: Group I had a mean arm abduction score of 1.82 ± 0.825 and Group II had a score of 3.12 ± 1.136. there was a significant difference (p lt 0.001*) in arm abduction score between the groups at 3rd month, with Group II showing higher scores. The mean elect