Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-958697
Posterolateral Cervical Vein as a Recipient Vein in Reconstructive Microvascular Surgery of the Head and Neck
Publication History
Accepted: October 5, 2006
Publication Date:
17 January 2007 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/jrm/200701/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-2006-958697-1.jpg)
ABSTRACT
Free flaps are becoming the preferred method of choice for head and neck reconstruction. However, many patients who have undergone radiotherapy and radical neck dissection or who require treatment for recurrent tumor, often present difficulty in choosing recipient vessels. The authors have noted a potential recipient vein coursing vertically along the anterior ridge of the trapezius muscle. They used this vein as the recipient vein in two patients; the two free flaps were transferred successfully without complications. This vein, which they provisionally named the posterolateral cervical vein (PLCV), is considered an important option as a recipient vein in head and neck reconstruction when more commonly used recipient cervical veins are unavailable.
KEYWORDS
Microsurgery - head and neck - recipient vein
REFERENCES
- 1 Nahabedian M Y, Singh N, Deune E G et al.. Recipient vessel analysis for microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. Ann Plast Surg. 2004; 52 148-155
- 2 Snell R S. Clinical Anatomy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2004: 739-762
- 3 Kamijyo M. Koukuu-kaibou-gaku. 1st ed. Nerima-ku, Tokyo; Anatohmu Co 1963: 563
- 4 Zhang F, Ho P R, Chin B T et al.. Effect of vein grafting on the survival of microvascularly transplanted muscle. Microsurgery. 1996; 17 512-516
- 5 Miller M J, Schusterman M A, Reece G P et al.. Interposition vein grafting in head and neck reconstructive microsurgery. J Reconstruct Microsurg. 1993; 9 245-252
- 6 Germann G, Steinau H U. The clinical reliability of vein grafts in free flap transfer. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1996; 12 11-17
- 7 Hallock G G. The interposition arteriovenous loop revised. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1998; 4 155-159
- 8 Taub P J, Chun J K, Zhang W X et al.. Staging arteriovenous fistula loops for lengthening of free-flap pedicles. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1999; 15 123-125
- 9 Rand R P, Gruss J B. The saphenous arteriovenous fistula in microsurgical head and neck reconstruction. Am J Otolaryngol. 1994; 15 215-218
- 10 Nakayama B, Kamei Y, Toriyama K et al.. Usefulness of a first transferred free flap vascular pedicle for secondary microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002; 109 1246-1253
- 11 Ad-El D D, Sichel J E. Reversed-flow external jugular vein: an optional recipient vessel in microsurgical head and neck reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004; 113 1873-1875
- 12 Uemura T, Suse T, Saiga A. Selection of a reverse venous flow technique as an alternative in free vascularised tissue transfers for head and neck reconstruction. J Jpn Soc Reconstr Microsurg. 2004; 17 305-311
Shunjiro YagiM.D.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan, 466-8560