Reliability of internal jugular vein in oral microvascular reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the reliability of the internal jugular vein when used as a recipient vein in oral microvascular reconstruction.


METHODS
A retrospective study was done of 36 consecutive cases in which microvascular reconstruction was accomplished with a free flap using the internal jugular vein in an end-to-side fashion. The postoperative patency of 25 internal jugular veins used as recipient veins was examined by postcontrast computed tomography scanning.


RESULTS
The overall flap success rate was 97%. Venous thromboses occurred in 2 cases. A common venous thrombosis occurred in one case, but the flap survived after re-anastomosis. In another case, internal jugular vein thrombosis occurred at 5 days of anastomosis, and the flap could not be salvaged by exploratory surgery. All other cases were completely uneventful. All internal jugular veins assessed on postcontrast computed tomography scans were patent at 51 to 107 days after surgery (mean, 89 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Internal jugular vein, if available, is reliable when used as a recipient vein in oral microvascular reconstruction. However, it is not necessarily flawless.
Katou
F
F
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1, School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Echigo
S
S
Ito
M
M
Shirai
N
N
Ohtani
H
H
Motegi
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014654:Vascular Patency; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*