[Surgery for mass at root of the neck--with 26 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical treatment of mass at root of the neck. METHOD: Twenty-six cases of mass in root of the neck, 10 benign tumor and 16 malignancy. All the patients were received surgical treatment with "T" or "L" shaped incision, and cleidotomy or remove partial of presternum and articulationes sternoclavicularis when necessary. RESULT: All the benign tumor were removed completely, 1 case with chylous leakage and 1 case with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after operation. Twelve cases of malignant tumor removed completely and 4 cases underwent partially resection. Subclavian vein rupture occur in 2 cases during operation, and chylous leakage in 1 case, brachial plexus or phrenic nerve injury in 2 cases individually, 1 case with mediastinal emphysema and 2 cases with hematoma. Follow up for 1 to more than 5 years. No patient died and relapsed in benign group. Six malignant cases survive for 5 years after operation,4 cases survive for more than 3 years,and 2 patients alive for 2 years. And the others were died within 1 year in malignancy group. CONCLUSION: Surgery for mass in root of the neck is feasible and with good effect for benign mass,and also is a way to treat the malignancy in this region.