Tuning Fork-Shaped Microsurgical Venous Anastomosis in Selective Cases of Head & Neck Reconstruction.

The paucity of neck vessels is a common problem in patients with previous surgery, radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Vessel-depleted neck is a well-known entity. 1 2 However, on several occasions, we manage to find a ligated internal jugular vein stump as a recipient vein.

As a unit policy, we perform single venous anastomosis only. We perform a second vein anastomosis only if the venous drainage through single venous anastomosis is insufficient, based on clinical judgment. It is not uncommon to encounter a paucity of veins and the requirement to do double venous anastomosis.

In such uncommon circumstances, we found this technique is useful.

Tuning fork-shaped anastomosis involves separate anastomosis of two donor veins to a single recipient vein in an end-to-end fashion.

Technique: The first vein is anastomosed at the farther end of the recipient vein ( Fig. 1 ). The posterior layer is sutured first, followed by the anterior layer. The near corner stitch of the anastomosis was done as shown in Fig. 2 . The second vein is then placed at the near end of the recipient vein and the anastomosis was completed similarly. The residual opening (between the two donor veins) in the recipient vein was closed with few interrupted sutures.

Fig. 1

Image showing a tuning fork-shaped venous anastomosis. ( A ) One of the donor veins anastomosed at the farther end of the recipient vein. ( B ) After anastomosis of both donor veins.

Fig. 2

Line diagram showing the technique of anastomosis. ( A ) The anastomosis of the posterior wall of the first donor vein at the farther end of the recipient vein. ( B ) Anterior wall sutures. ( C ) Corner stitch for the completion of the first donor vein. ( D ) Final appearance.

Although the indications for this technique is very rare, it is a promising solution in critical situations. In our experience, with over 1700 free flaps for head and neck reconstruction during the last 5 years, we have utilized this anastomosis technique in 11 patients. Seven patients underwent anterolateral thigh flaps, and four patients underwent radial forearm free flaps. All of them had an uncomplicated recovery. The ligated stump of the internal jugular vein was the only recipient vein in all 11 patients. Hence, as a prerequisite to perform this technique, the size mismatch between the donor and recipient veins must be ≥ 3:1. This technique is also beneficial for surgeons who prefer to perform two venous anastomoses in all cases. However, in vessel-depleted neck, we prefer to use vein grafts to access the contralateral neck vessels. The disadvantage of this technique is a steep learning curve.