Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 May;42(5):617-620.

Patency of Internal Jugular Vein after Modified Neck Dissection

• Lee HS
• Tae K
• Jeong JH
• Shin DH
• Park DW

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preservation of the internal jugular vein is beneficial in bilateral neck dissection where sacrifice of both jugular veins (IJV) have been associated with death, cerebral damage, blindness, or permanent facial distortion. The benefit of preservation of the IJV in unilateral neck dissection is less clear. Potential benefits may include decreased edema, and reduced morbidity. This study was performed to define the postoperative patency rate of the IJV and to analyze the risk factors associated with occlusion of the IJV. MATERIALS & METHODS: Thirty-one patients, and fourty-one cases of modified neck dissection were evaulated postoperatively with Duplex pulsed ultrasonogram for patency of the internal jugular vein.
RESULTS
The patency rate of internal jugular vein was 97.7%. IJV was narrowed in 4 patients who had been irradiated in their neck, postoperatively. Occlusion of the IJV was revealed in only one patient who underwent reconstruction with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.
CONCLUSION
The patency rate of internal jugular vein following a modified neck dissection was extremely high in this study. Postoperative irradiation and bulky myocutaneous flap reconstruction method may present as risk factors contributing to the occlusion or narrowing of the IJV.

Keyword

Intenal jugular vein; Patency; Modified neck dissection

MeSH Terms

Blindness
Edema
Humans
Jugular Veins*
Myocutaneous Flap
Neck Dissection*
Neck*
Risk Factors
Ultrasonography