This would be for an ENT - surgeon. I have recurrent papillary thyroid cancer that s now in the lymph-nodes. I have been treated with Radioactive Iodine and a Thyroidectomy. My surgeon now want to do a modified radical neck dissection. I understand there is risk of damage to arteries and nerves, but what is the most likely outcome? One local surgeon said they would only do a horizontal incision and another said they would cut from ear to ear in a big U. The one surgeon says the papillary thyroid CA doesn t go up, so I don t need to be cut that high? The other says that the ear to ear thing is all she s done. After a friend has a modified radical neck dissection for the same cancer, the surgeon damaged her spinal accessory nerve. Her should now droops and she s in a lot of pain. What should I expect, what is the normal outcome for this surgery. Is it rare for the surgeon to damage that nerve? My cancer has been verified as just papillary - not tall cell. It s so hard to find out what the standard of care is? What surgery is best (the higher cut or lower). Everyone seems to tell me something slightly different? Who is the best surgeon for this. I m a 50 y/o female, my other health is good, I ve never smoked, don t drink.