INTERNAL JUGULAR-VEIN PATENCY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MICROVASCULAR RECONSTRUCTION

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients undergoing free flap reconstructi on and simultaneous neck dissection. Patients underwent Doppler ultras ound examination of their internal jugular veins on postoperative days 1 and 7 after functional neck dissection and free flap transfer, Long -term follow up was obtained at a minimum of 3 months. The incidence o f internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients undergoing free flap re construction with simultaneous neck dissection is similar to that of p atients undergoing just neck dissection. A significant number of these veins recanalize and have excellent long term patency. There does not seem to be a correlation between venous thrombosis and free flap surv ival.