Iatrogenic injury to the accessory nerve

Abstract

We describe two patients with uncommon causes of iatrogenic injuries and review the anatomy, presentation, possibilities of repair, and results. The incidence of such nerve injuries during lymph node biopsies is 3%–10%, but the diagnosis is often delayed. Symptoms are shoulder pain and inability to abduct the arm beyond the horizontal plane. Surgical repair may improve function and pain and should be performed early, preferably within six months, but prevention of nerve injury is most important.

• Accessory nerve
• iatrogenic
• nerve injury
• nerve repair
• nerve reconstruction
• lymph node biopsy