Spinal accessory lymph nodes: a prospective study of metastatic involvement.

The traditional radical neck dissection involves excision of the spinal accessory nerve en bloc with the soft tissue of the posterior triangle in an effort ot remove completely all node-bearing tissue. The resultant decrease in range of motion of the involved extremity and subsequent pain have prompted some surgeons to seek alternatives. The purpose of this study is to review prospectively radical neck specimens with the specific intent of evaluating the frequency of metastatic involvement of the spinal accessory lymph nodes with head and neck malignancies. Fifty neck specimens were studied and the frequency of cancerous involvement of the spinal accessory nodes was not found to be significantly different from nodal involvement of the entire neck specimen. The location of accessory nerve involvement was predominantly in the proximal portion which is not within the posterior triangle. The results are further evaluated with the subsequent conclusion that preservation of the spinal accessory nerve cannot be justified on the basis of infrequent involvement with metastatic lymph nodes.