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Internal jugular vein thrombosis following functional neck dissection
Author(s) -
Leontsinis Timothy G.,
Currie Andrew R.,
Mannell Aylwyn
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199502000-00011
Subject(s) - medicine , internal jugular vein , neck dissection , surgery , venography , thrombosis , fistula , jugular vein , radiology , external jugular vein , dissection (medical) , venous thrombosis , carcinoma
Twenty‐five patients on whom 27 functional neck dissections were performed for upper aerodigestive tract squamous carcinoma were prospectively investigated to determine the frequency of venous thrombosis on the side of the neck dissection. Retrograde venography, performed within 1 month postoperatively, was used to determine the status of the internal jugular vein. Nineteen veins were patent at venography, but ipsilateral occlusion was demonstrated in 8. In 5 of the 8 patients, venous thrombosis followed major wound sepsis or fistula formation. No causes for the remaining 3 cases of internal jugular vein thromboses were identified. Possible mechanisms for “spontaneous” internal jugular vein occlusion following functional neck dissection are endothelial trauma, reduction in venous flow during anesthesia, and the altered coagulability profile of some cancer patients. The finding that functional neck dissection does not always maintain patency of the internal jugular vein is especially important when surgical treatment to the opposite side of the neck is planned, as the surgeon may be faced with an unexpectedly complicated postoperative course.