Abstract:

Objective To seek a new method for reconstructing bilateral internal jugular vein invaded by metastasis lymph node in advanced oral cancer patients. Methods A combination of microvascular anastomosis and longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty was performed to reconstruct internal jugular vein. We resected the part of the bilateral internal jugular vein of advanced oral cancer patients invaded by metastasis lymph node and used the external carotid vein to reconstruct the internal jugular vein. A part of the vessel wall of the internal jugular vein could also be resected to reconstruct the vein. Longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty could slowly narrow the lumen diameter of the internal jugular vein. Thus, difference in anastomosis diameter should be avoided because it generates eddy currents and subsequently causes blood clots. A total of five advanced cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were involved in this study. We performed bilateral radical neck dissection on all patients to reconstruct the internal jugular vein and observed their postoperative conditions. Results Postoperative follow-up of 5 months to 19 months was performed on all patients. Doppler or CT angiography and related tests showed no internal jugular vein thrombosis. No patient with facial edema, throat swelling, cerebral edema, and high intracranial pressure or other serious complications caused by blocked venous blood was observed. The one-year survival rate of five patients was 60% (3/5). Conclusion Microvascular anastomosis combined with longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty is a new method for reconstructing internal jugular vein. This method was proved successful and clinically feasible.

Key words: longitudinal constriction suture venoplasty, microsurgery, microvascular anastomosis, internal jugular vein, radical neck dissection