title: Internal jugular vein reconstruction: application of conventional type A and novel type K methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During neck dissection, the current practice is to preserve the internal jugular vein in the majority of cases. However, sacrifice of bilateral internal jugular veins is required in rare cases. Simultaneous excision of both internal jugular veins is known to frequently cause fatal complications. Even if staged, bilateral internal jugular vein sacrifice still occasionally leads to fatal complications (in 2 per cent). We report two different methods of unilateral internal jugular vein reconstruction, in two cases requiring excision of bilateral internal jugular veins, and we review the significance of this reconstruction procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first patient underwent conventional type A reconstruction (using Katsuno's classification): end-to-end anastomosis of the internal jugular vein to the external jugular vein. For the second patient, we anastomosed the internal jugular vein to the anterior jugular vein, preserving the flow of the external jugular vein. This method, termed type K, had two main expected benefits: facial drainage via the preserved external jugular vein; and provision of a built-in safeguard in the case of occlusion (via the preserved venous networks between the internal jugular vein and the external jugular vein, e.g. the facial vein).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both cases, the reconstructed internal jugular vein was patent and the post-operative course was uneventful, with no severe complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current and previous findings strongly indicate that the reconstruction of at least one internal jugular vein is highly recommended for patients requiring bilateral internal jugular vein sacrifice. Our type K method may represent a useful technique for this procedure.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Kyushu Koseinenkin Hospital, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kamizono
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ejima
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Taura
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Masuda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014654:Vascular Patency