The External Jugular Vein Used as Recipient Vessel in Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction: Outcomes Compared to the Internal Jugular Vein

Background: Contradictory data exists on the success rates of employing the external jugular (EJ) vein as a recipient vessel for venous outflow in free flap head and neck reconstruction compared with the internal jugular (IJ) vein. The authors hereby present a retrospective study of prospectively collected data over a 14-year period. Methods: Five hundred seventy-eight patients underwent 639 free flap head and neck over 14 years. Two hundred seventy-eight free flaps employed the EJ vein as the recipient vessel while 326 free flaps employed the IJ vein. Rates of acute and late complications were compared. Results: There were no differences in rates of complications: flap loss, venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, bleeding, hematoma, or infection between the EJ and IJ vein groups. Conclusion: The external jugular vein as a recipient vessel for venous outflow in head and neck free flap reconstruction of postoncologic resection defects is a valid option for both primary reconstructions and secondary surgeries. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Amir E. Ibrahim, MD, PO box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 11072020, Beirut, Lebanon; E-mail: amir.ibrahim78@gmail.com Received 12 October, 2017 Accepted 3 July, 2018 Presented as an abstract at the American Society for Reconstructive Surgery 2015 Meeting; Paradise Island, Bahamas: Jan 21-27, 2015. The authors report no conflicts of interest. © 2018 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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