Reliability of internal jugular vein in oral microvascular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review the reliability of the internal jugular vein when used as a recipient vein in oral microvascular reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study was done of 36 consecutive cases in which microvascular reconstruction was accomplished with a free flap using the internal jugular vein in an end-to-side fashion. The postoperative patency of 25 internal jugular veins used as recipient veins was examined by postcontrast computed tomography scanning.

RESULTS

The overall flap success rate was 97%. Venous thromboses occurred in 2 cases. A common venous thrombosis occurred in one case, but the flap survived after re-anastomosis. In another case, internal jugular vein thrombosis occurred at 5 days of anastomosis, and the flap could not be salvaged by exploratory surgery. All other cases were completely uneventful. All internal jugular veins assessed on postcontrast computed tomography scans were patent at 51 to 107 days after surgery (mean, 89 days).

CONCLUSION

Internal jugular vein, if available, is reliable when used as a recipient vein in oral microvascular reconstruction. However, it is not necessarily flawless.