Lateral Neck Compartment Dissection

This is a more extensive procedure than a central neck dissection and involves removal of the majority of lymph nodes in the lateral neck compartment.  The lateral neck compartment involves the jugulodigastric, jugular chain and posterior neck lymph nodes of Levels II, III, IV and V.  It is performed in cases of confirmed thyroid malignancy with abnormal lymph nodes noted in the lateral neck compartment preoperatively.  The procedure usually involves a larger incision along the lateral neck.  Dr. Alen Cohen and Dr. Jerome Vener at C/V ENT Surgical Group, which serves the Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks areas, have extensive experience performing lateral neck dissection when necessary.