The neck dissection is then performed. An oblique incision is made following the course the anterior belly of the sternal colloidal mastoid muscle down to the sternal notch. The omohyoid muscle is exposed and transected. Deep self-retaining retractors are not used. The vascular structures are retracted laterally.
Dissection is continued to the prevertebral fascia, the anterior longitudinal ligament.
The esophagus is encircled avoiding any injury to the membranous portion of the trachea and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. A soft rubber drain is then placed around the upper esophagus to allow further retraction and dissection. Using a finger and sponge stick, further dissection is performed down into the thoracic inlet. This does not typically require any electrocautery. Once complete esophageal dissection has been performed, the upper esophagus is transected using a GIA stapling device.