title: Interposition vein grafts in microvascular head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand when interposition vein grafting may be needed in head and neck reconstruction and become familiar with the factors associated with use of interposition grafts and their effect on free flap survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive case-series design in a tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charts were reviewed in patients undergoing interposition vein grafts for microvascular reconstruction of head and neck defects between August 1998 and February 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a 10-year period, interposition vein grafts were used in 20 free tissue transfers, representing 1.7% of all microvascular reconstruction cases (n = 1,143). Seventy percent of vein grafts were used in cases of secondary reconstruction or prior radiotherapy. Free flap survival in the interposition vein graft group was 95%, compared with 96% overall flap survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interposition vein grafts are used most often in cases involving a threatened flap, prior free flap, flap failure or radiation, and tumor recurrence. The use of interposition vein grafting in microvascular reconstruction is not associated with decreased flap survival.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. furrm@ohsu.edu
authors: Maxwell C
authors: MC
authors: Furr
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Cannady
authors: Mark K
authors: MK
authors: Wax
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*; D055815:Young Adult