Neuromuscular injuries after neck surgery and radiotherapy for cancer: A systematic literature review.

Discussion This review demonstrated that it is impossible to define the incidence of neuromuscular injuries induced by surgery and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Levels of evidence were low, descriptions and analyses were incomplete, patient groups were heterogeneous, and the scopes of the studies were too disparate. Easily demonstrated complications such as spinal accessory nerve injuries occupy a predominant place in the literature. Further research is required on other nerve and muscle injuries that remain poorly defined. Despite these gaps in our knowledge, the treatment sequelae can no longer be ignored or neglected. Although effective treatments are not always available, prevention, detection, rehabilitation, and management of these injuries must be an integral part of patient care.
Source: Head and Neck Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research