Neck Surgery

Masses in the neck need to be evaluated. Some patients receive CT scan and needle biopsies to help with diagnosis. Branchial cleft cysts, thyroglossal duct cysts, suspicious lymph nodes and tumors are usually require neck surgery.

Neck Disorders

The salivary glands located in the neck can become diseased with infection, tumors and salivary stones or calculi. Some of these disorders are treated with medicines while others are treated with surgery. Dr. Rosner has performed many successful salivary gland surgeries. Salivary stones, often diagnosed on x rays are removed either through the mouth, or sometimes the salivary gland is removed.

Other reasons for neck surgery include removing a damaged cervical disc, stabilizing the spine, and decompressing the spinal cord. While 90% of patients experiencing neck pain or cervical disc disorders will improve over time with less radical treatment, surgery is an option for those who do not respond to medications and other solutions.

Types of Neck Surgery

The most common type of neck surgery is known as a discectomy – the removal of a disc in the cervical spine. This procedure is typically performed through the front of the neck (an anterior cervical discectomy), but may also be performed through the back of the neck (a posterior cervical decompression). Other neck surgery procedures include cervical artificial disc replacement, spinal decompression, and posterior cervical foraminotomy.

Most neck surgical procedures are safe and effective, but there are always a few risks involved. These include infection, bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, chronic neck pain, and permanent damage to the nerves, spinal cord, vocal cords or esophagus. Dr. Rosner will discuss in detail all risks prior to recommending a neck surgery.