title: Cephalic vein: Saviour in the microsurgical reconstruction of breast and head and neck cancers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction with microvascular free flaps is considered the reconstructive option of choice in cancer of the head and neck regions and breast. Rarely, there is paucity of vessels, especially the veins, at the recipient site. The cephalic vein with its good caliber and constant anatomy is a reliable recipient vein available in such situations.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a retrospective study from January 2010 to July 2012 and includes 26 patients in whom cephalic vein was used for free-flap reconstruction in head and neck (3 cases) and breast cancers (23 cases).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps in which cephalic vein was used survived completely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cephalic vein can be considered as a reliable source of venous drainage when there is a non-availability/unusable of veins during free-flap reconstruction in the head and neck region and breast and also when additional source of venous drainage is required in these cases.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Services, TATA Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors: Vinay K
authors: VK
authors: Shankhdhar
authors: Prabha S
authors: PS
authors: Yadav
authors: Jaiswal
authors: J
authors: Dushyant
authors: Sakthipalan Selva
authors: SS
authors: Seetharaman
authors: Wingkar
authors: W
authors: Chinmay
keywords: Breast reconstruction; cephalic vein; free flap; head and neck reconstruction