Transverse Cervical Artery and Appropriate Veins as Recipient Vessels in Head and Neck Reconstruction

Lee, Dong Won; Lee, Won Jai; Lew, Dae Hyun; Rah, Dong Kyun; Tark, Kwan Chul

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the transverse cervical artery of those who received preoperative radiotherapy or radical neck dissection and those who are unable to utilize the branch of external carotid artery system, which are most commonly used as recipient artery in head and neck reconstruction.
METHODS
10 patients were selected as head and neck cancer candidates for study. 8 patients received radical neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection and 3 patients underwent preoperative radiotheraphy. In call cases, reconstruction using free flap was performed with transverse cervical artery as recipient artery and posterolateral cervical vein or transverse cervical vein as recipient vein.
RESULTS
Partial necrosis of flap due to wound infection was noted in one case and successful microsurgery was achieved in all other cases. The average pedicle length was 9.3cm and all arteries underwent end to-end anastomosis. In 7 patients, posterolateral cervical vein was used as recipient artery and transverse cervical vein was utilized in 3 patients.
CONCLUSION
In cases where recipient artery from external carotid system cannot be utilized due to preoperative radiotherapy or radical neck dissection, the transverse cervical artery can be an alternative option of choice. Due to diverse variations of transverse cervical vein as a recipient vein, the posterolateral cervical vein may be considered in such cases.