Neck, back

Postoperative problems affecting the back of the neck include

Scars, some incisions will extend to the back of the neck. These can be troublesome as it is difficult to see the wounds to manage them.
Altered sensation. If the nerves supplying skin sensation have been manipulated, altered sensation for a variable length of time can occur.
Stiffness. A lack of mobility can happen when the motor nerve to the muscles of the neck (trapezius and sternomastoid) is either removed or manipulated as part of a neck dissection. This stiffness can make driving problematic as it is difficult to look in mirrors.
Minor arthritic changes may be made worse if the neck has to be hyperextended to facilitate operation or intubation.