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What to expect post radical neck dissection, tonsil & mucosectomy?
My father (61 years old) is due to have a radical neck dissection (on the right) & full tonsillectomy (what is left of previously removed tonsils when a child) and mucosectomy at the back of the tongue.
I have read a few things & heard about a lot of post surgery concerns such as mucus build up/swallowing/eating issues.
Can anyone share any tips? I would be grateful to hear of positive recoveries too.
One concern a few people have posted about is they feel as though they were 'drowning' in mucus/saliva, in this instance, would it be worth sleeping sat upwards? Did anyone use any sleeping aids for comfortable sleep post surgery?
Thank you.
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I thought doctors stopped performing Radical Necks long ago? I know that’s what my ENT and Oncologist told me.
I was 58 when I had my TORS base of tongue and Neck dissection. I had to sleep upwards for the first few nights. Yes I did feel like I was drowning in mucus at times. Also had sharp nerve pain in my head from time to time. Cold compress helped. Trash can by the bed. As someone mentioned be sure that pills are taken on time. Very important to stay ahead of the pain. I literally could not swallow a pill or a cap of water for the first few days. I would practice swallowing exercises before surgery to get familiar. My diet was mainly boost, baby food, mashed up potatoes, eggs ,etc for the first few weeks. It is manageable but the first week will be rough. God Speed.
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1 Reaction@jonesja Thank you for your helpful feedback. My father is due out of surgery any hour now. I hope you are doing well and have continued good health.
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1 ReactionI had a base of tongue tumor removed a year ago via robotic surgery (tors) and a neck dissection. I had problems swallowing for a few weeks but am back to about 90% from where I was (normal). I assume that is where I will stay. The one thing I really didn’t know anything about with the neck dissection was the problems you can have with your shoulder on the side of your neck section. When they do the neck dissection they aggravate a nerve that goes from your brain to your shoulder. After surgery, I met with a physical therapist about doing some exercises, but nobody really seemed to tell me that I was gonna have some issues so I didn’t do the exercises and then my shoulder got very weak . So, I started physical therapy locally and that did help but I gave up doing an exercise every day cause I just got sick of it to be honest. So my shoulder is weaker, but that is something that nobody really pushed on me about what was gonna happen after the neck dissection . I Would recommend that if they talk about physical therapy that you do that right away!
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3 ReactionsHi @mikeswen
I had the same exact thing happen to me with the neck dissection. I believe it’s the spinal accessory nerve that runs from neck to shoulder.
@mikeswen the importance of physical therapy is often overlooked. You make an excellent recommendation.
We often have issues, sometimes for years in my case. It has resolved more or less now two decades out. But I did not have physical therapy due in large part that it was not recommended by any of my healthcare people nor was I aware that it might help.
Stay the course. Good healing.
@mpmer, have you met with your doctor? What did you find out? How are you doing?