Internal jugular vein patency in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction.

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients undergoing free flap reconstruction and simultaneous neck dissection. Patients underwent Doppler ultrasound examination of their internal jugular veins on postoperative days 1 and 7 after functional neck dissection and free flap transfer. Long-term follow up was obtained at a minimum of 3 months. The incidence of internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients undergoing free flap reconstruction with simultaneous neck dissection is similar to that of patients undergoing just neck dissection. A significant number of these veins recanalize and have excellent long term patency. There does not seem to be a correlation between venous thrombosis and free flap survival.