Computer Assisted Surgery Planning for Neck Dissections AUTHORS

INTRODUCTION To support the preoperative planning of neck dissections, 3d visualizations are intended to explore and to quantify anatomic and pathologic structures. Neck dissections are carried out for patients with malignant tumors in the head and neck region. These surgical procedures are necessary because the majority of the patients develop lymph node metastases in the neck region. The extent of the intervention depends on the occurrence and location of enlarged (and probably) malignant lesions. To ensure the decision about operability and the surgical procedure of the neck dissection, the occurrence and number of enlarged lymph nodes, as well as their location in relation to risk structures have to be assessed and visualized. In particular, the infiltration of the M. sternocleidomastoideus, the main blood vessels of the neck (A. carotis, V. jugularis) and several nerves is of relevance to the surgeon.