Effectiveness of the trapezius vein in the reconstruction of intraoral defects with bare neck.
In head and neck cancer reconstruction, the transverse cervical artery is a good alternative vessel when the appropriate recipient vessels cannot be identified because of preoperative radiation and radical neck dissection. Selecting the appropriate recipient vein is essential for a successful intraoral reconstruction. We attempted to determine which veins are candidate partners of the transverse cervical artery by anatomically examining 10 necks (2 sides of the neck in 5 cadavers) in a cadaver study. Three types of veins (suprascapular vein, transverse cervical vein, and descending vein from the trapezius muscle) were selected as recipient vein candidates, and the characteristics of each vein were analyzed. Clinically, we also examined which vessels were chosen as recipient veins in 13 patients in whom intraoral reconstruction with bare neck was performed using the transverse cervical artery as recipient. The descending vein from the trapezius muscles (trapezius vein) was used most frequently, followed by the transverse cervical vein. The transverse cervical vein could be considered an appropriate recipient vein, but it is prone to damage from neck dissection in some cases. Therefore, the use of the trapezius vein can aid in the successful reconstruction in such patients.
Lee
Dong Won
DW
Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University Health System, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yun
In Sik
IS
Rah
Dong Kyun
DK
Cheon
Young Woo
YW
Lee
Hye Yeon
HY
Lee
Won Jai
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome