A novel procedure for reconstruction utilizing superficial femoral vein grafts following en bloc resection of carotid artery and head and neck malignant tumours.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of reconstructing the carotid artery using a superficial femoral vein (SFV).


METHODS
Ten patients with malignant tumours involving the carotid artery underwent carotid artery resection and reconstruction with the SFV. We use the SFV between the deep femoral vein and perforator branches to the great saphenous vein or deep femoral vein at the popliteal region reconstructive vessel.


RESULTS
The mean length and diameter of the grafted SFVs were 13.9 and 11.2 mm, respectively. The mean time for SFV acquirement was 18 min. The mean cerebral ischaemic period was 23.1 min. Nine patients did not experience any neurological complications. One patient experienced slight temporary hemiparesis. There was no postoperative vascular graft thrombosis. Donor site complications did not occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Reconstructing the carotid artery using an SFV is very effective due to the ease in harvesting the vessel and its optimal size and length for carotid artery replacement.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan jyokoya@juntendo.ac.jp.
Junkichi
J
Yokoyama
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Masaki
M
Yazawa
Second Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan.
Hitoshi
H
Yoshimoto
Department of Neurosurgery, Dokkyou University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Keisuke
K
Ueki
Department of Neurosurgery, Dokkyou University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Shunsuke
S
Kawamoto
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Shinichi
S
Ohba
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Mitsuhisa
M
Fujimaki
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Katsuhisa
K
Ikeda
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D061646:Operative Time; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058017:Vascular Grafting / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
Carotid artery reconstruction head and neck cancer; Carotid artery resection; Complications; Superficial femoral vein