[Surgical treatment of iatrogenic lesions of the accessory nerve following lymph node excision].

Excision of lymph nodes on the lateral margin of the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle may result in damage to the accessory nerve. Most commonly the branch to the trapezius is involved. The treatment in five cases of iatrogenic lesions is described. Contrary to the widespread assumption that these lesions are irreversible, there was significant improvement in all cases.