I had three neck dissections all in the left neck, two were radical, RND, one Selectine neck dissection, SND. For me, they were the easiest part of treatment, but it's a sensitive area for many functions, so you need a good ENT, prefably at a CCC, that has a multidisplinsary team other doctors, there was minimal pain, and while in the recovery room was given morphine, I never turn down lol, and oxycodene there after. There will be swelling, and a drain in the higher clavicle area for the blood and Lympth fluid into a Drsinage bulb. Once it starts filing 1/3 or less you are released, and my stay was overnight, in their step-done room, similar to ICU for HNC. I ate McDonald's Big Mac, fries, coke, while I was driven hond which when I got home lol, which didn't sit well with me or Cheryl here lol, who is a vegetarian. The stitches were taken out maybe the 18th due to having prior radiation, which causes wounds in the radiated are longer too heal. The selective neck dissection, two lymphs, which turned out to be free or rising cancer was day surgery, again McDonalds lol. My 3rd was a little more complicated, with a RND, radiation during surgery, IORT , Pec flap, this time I had two drains, one in neck, and one in pectoral, and was in the hospital 3 days. I recovered pretty well. And sir doctors are amazed I had three neck dissection, 3 radiation treatments, chemo, and wouldn't know by looking at me. I do have swelling, which is going away slight, a leather neck, and turkey neck, which I can live with if that's all.

I'm not sure where the lymph drainage goes four your cancer but for oropharyngeal it' level ll-lV or with radical, levels ll-V. Some HNC cancers need levels l-Vl Lymphs removed, depending on likely drainage, but there can be skip metastases. There is like 300 lymphs, HN, most microscopic and in a chain. even after my RND, further another ND, they removed 5 lymphs in the same area. Some get a T chit, liken mime or a hockey puck, others as well.