O-070. Incidence and impact of shoulder pain after neck dissection

Aims: To determine the incidence and impact of shoulder pain after a neck dissection clinically and to identify risk factors. Method: In-patients after a neck dissection filled out a questionnaire the day before discharge. Pain intensity of the shoulder (VAS 100 mm) and activities of daily life provoking shoulder pain were assessed. Type of surgery was retrieved from the medical records. Results: Patients (n = 171) : 68, :103 Age: mean (S.D.) 60.3(12) Non-selective neck dissection 81% (radical or modified) Sacrificing cervical branches 35% Shoulder pain present 70% Pain intensity: mean (S.D.) 14 mm (16) Pain when moving the shoulder 31% Pain when laying upon the shoulder 30% Intensity of pain correlated with the number pain provoking activities (r = 0.73). A non-selective dissection increased the risk for shoulder pain from 50 to 75% and sacrificing the cervical plexus increases the risk from 57 to 95%. Conclusion: Incidence of clinical shoulder pain after neck dissection is 70%. Shoulder pain has a considerable impact on activities of daily living. Risk factors for development of shoulder pain are non-selective neck dissections and sacrificing the cervical plexus.