Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding author: David G. To determine whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with cancer with a history of neck dissection. The secondary objective is to determine whether acupuncture relieves dry mouth in this population.
The Constant-Murley score, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living, was the primary outcome measure. Xerostomia, a secondary end point, was assessed using the Xerostomia Inventory. Fifty-eight evaluable patients were accrued and randomly assigned from to 28 and 30 patients on acupuncture and control arms, respectively.
Significant reductions in pain, dysfunction, and xerostomia were observed in patients receiving acupuncture versus usual care. Although further study is needed, these data support the potential role of acupuncture in addressing postβneck dissection pain and dysfunction, as well as xerostomia.
Cancers arising in the head and neck comprise a heterogeneous group of malignancies. The annual burden of new head and neck cancers in the United States collectively exceeds ,, and the upper aerodigestive and thyroid gland cancers by themselves accounted for an estimated 85, new cases in Surgery figures prominently in the curative management of the majority of patients with these cancers.
Because spread of disease to the lymph nodes of the neck is frequent, neck dissection is commonly necessary. Various types of neck dissections exist, which vary in their extensiveness, and dissections are most simply classified as either comprehensive or selective.
