Page 19 - Head and neck surgery

The neck cruciate incision is interdigitated with the

trachea on fashioning the end tracheostome. There

are no other external neck scars.

The lack of external neck scars means there is

minimal transection of dermal lymphatics, which in

term reduces lymphoedema. Not only is it

unsightly, but more importantly, scarring and

lymphoedema impairs neck movement, speech and

swallowing rehabilitation.

This patient has full neck range of motion. He can

tolerate unrestricted normal solid diet and speak

comprehensively with electrolarynx.