By Robert Linnehan
Findings of this study indicated efficient surgical intervention of iatrogenic spine access nerve injuries can help restore diminished or absent function and highlighted the risk of sustaining these injuries during lymph node biopsies performed in zone 1 of the posterior cervical triangle.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study of their experiences with 156 patients who sustained iatrogenic spine access nerve (SAN) injuries during cervical lymph node biopsies performed at their institution between 1980 and 2012. Overall, 154 patients sustained the injury during a biopsy in zone 1 of the posterior cervical triangle. Each patient underwent a thorough clinical assessment for SAN motor function pre- and post-repair. 