RELIABILITY OF INTERNAL JUGULAR-VEIN IN ORAL MICROVASCULAR

Objective. The purpose of this study was to review the reliability of the internal jugular vein when used as a recipient vein in Oral microv ascular reconstruction. Study Design. A retrospective study was done o f 36 consecutive cases in which microvascular reconstruction was accom plished with a free flap using the internal jugular vein in an end-to- side fashion. The postoperative patency of 25 internal jugular veins u sed as recipient veins was examined by postcontrast computed tomograph y scanning. Results. The overall flap success rate was 97%. Venous thr omboses occurred in 2 cases. A common venous thrombosis occurred in on e case, but the flap survived after re-anastomosis. In another case, i nternal jugular vein thrombosis occurred at 5 days of anstomosis, and the flap could not be salvaged by exploratory surgery. All other cases were completely uneventful. All internal jugular veins assessed on po stcontrast computed tomography scans were patent at 51 to 107 days aft er surgery (mean, 89 days). Conclusion. Internal jugular vein, if avai lable, is reliable when used as a recipient vein in oral microvascular reconstruction. However, it is not necessarily flawless.