Operative Treatment of Accessory Nerve Lesions

Abstract

Neurological deficit of the accessory nerve has serious clinical impact. Preservation of function or reconstruction of the accessory nerve is very important. Patients suffering complete loss of function of this nerve with paralysis of the trapezius muscle are no longer in a position to practise professions demanding strenouous physical activity. Damage to the accessory nerve due to accidents is relatively rare, even though the nerve lies in the lateral neck triangle close under the skin. However, the accessory nerve may frequently be damaged during extirpation of a tumor or of a lymphatic gland lateral to the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Fig. 1 a).