Abstract: Objective To explore the diagnosis of lesions occupying the root of neck, choose rational surgical plans, and reduce the occurrence of complications. Methods From January 2005 to January 2014, a total of 147 patients with intact data of tumors at the root of the neck, from the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, were retrospectively analyzed. Results According to pathologic diagnosis, 56 of the 147 cases were esophageal carcinoma, 50 were substernal thyroid, 18 were neurinoma, nine were neurofibroma, five were cyst of the lymph-vessel, and nine were tracheal tumors. All tumors were totally resected except for one lymphatic cyst, which was incompletely resected because of conjunction with important tissues.Twenty-four of the 147 cases presented complications(16.33%). Follow up for three years.The three-year survival rate for patients with malignant tumors was 35.62%. One patient with a lymphatic cyst that was not removed completely did not experience relapse. Conclusion The best therapeutic regimen for the treatment of lesions occupying the root of neck was operation, however the complicated anatomical structure of this region makes it difficult to perform operations without resulting complications.

Key words: Occupied lesions, Surgical procedures, operative, Root of the neck