Recipient vessel selection in the difficult neck: Outcomes of external carotid artery transposition and end-to-end microvascular anastomosis

Easy and Safe Clamping of the Internal Jugular Vein and Internal Carotid Artery for End-to-Side Anastomosis in the Vessel-Depleted Neck

BACKGROUND

Damage to the vascular system resulting from radiotherapy and previous surgeries in patients with recurrent neck tumors has a negative impact on secondary reconstructions. In this study, we describe a simple method for occlusion of the great vessels of the neck in patients with difficult access to recipient vessels for anastomosis.

METHODS

A 1 or 0 gauge silk ligature is placed at a circumference of 540 degrees around the vessel, holding the base of the suture with a fine hemostatic clamp exerting sufficient pressure to stop the blood flow in the vessel (internal carotid artery or internal jugular vein), to prepare the end-to-side anastomosis to the flap.

RESULTS

From 90 head a neck reconstructions for oncologic patients using microvascular flaps performed between April 2011 and April 2021, 8 of them (8.8%) were performed in patients with multiple previous surgeries and/or radiotherapy, with lesion of the arterial thyrolyngopharyngofacial trunk and secondary recipient veins, being the internal carotid and internal jugular the only available recipient vessels in the neck.

CONCLUSIONS

Occlusion of the great vessels of the neck with a thick silk at 540 degrees held by a hemostatic clamp at its base is a safe and reproducible method for occlusion of these vessels to perform end-to-side anastomosis in patients with difficult vascular access in the neck without increasing the risk of endothelial damage and thrombosis from the anastomosis.

Free tissue reconstruction in the "vessel-depleted" neck: A multi-institutional cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Much of the literature on free tissue reconstruction in the "vessel-depleted" neck is focused on identification of vessels outside the pretreated field and data on free flap outcomes when infield microvascular anastomosis is performed remain scarce. We aim to report on free flap outcomes and recipient vessel choice in a large cohort of patients with prior radiation and neck dissection (RTND) to the ipsilateral side of vessel anastomosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed including patients who received head and neck free tissue transfer following prior RTND to the ipsilateral side of vessel anastomosis. Pretreatment data, free flap type, defect site, and recipient vessel choice were reported. Recipient vessel choice was stratified according to neck dissection level and prior free flap. Primary outcome was free flap survival (total failure, partial failure, success) within 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

This study included 72 free flap cases in 68 patients. Free flap success was 94.4%; one case (1.4%) resulted in total flap loss and three cases (4%) had partial flap loss. The facial (35%), external carotid (ECA) (25%), and superior thyroid arteries (16%) were the most common recipient arteries. The external jugular (EJV) (38%), facial (30%), and internal jugular veins (IJV) (15%) were the most common recipient veins. The superior thyroid artery was used less frequently with a prior level 2-3/4 neck dissection compared to a prior level 1-3/4 neck dissection (6% vs. 17%, p = 0.83). The facial artery (7% vs. 67%, p < 0.01) and vein (13% vs. 46%, p = 0.04) were used less frequently when a prior free flap with ipsilateral anastomosis was performed. The superior thyroid, ECA, IJV, and EJV were more commonly used in this subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Free tissue transfer with infield microvascular anastomosis in a neck with prior RTND can be safely done with comparable outcomes to surgically naïve, non-irradiated necks.

Venous Size Discrepancy Is a Critical Factor When Using Superficial Temporal Vessels as Recipient Vessels for Free Flaps

BACKGROUND

 Superficial temporal vessels have been used successfully as recipient vessels for head and neck reconstruction. This study evaluates the impact of several treatment variables on flap failure and take-back rate when using these recipient vessels.

METHODS

 We conducted a retrospective study of all microsurgical reconstructions using superficial temporal vessels as recipient vessels in a period of 10 years. Variables collected included previous treatments (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, neck dissection, free flap reconstruction), type of flaps used (soft tissue, osteocutaneous), and vessel size discrepancy between donor and recipient vessels.

RESULTS

 A total of 132 patients were included in the study. The flap success rate was 98.5%. The take-back rate was 10.6%. The most frequent reason for take-back was venous congestion secondary to thrombosis. None of the studied variables was associated with flap failure. Reconstructions using osteocutaneous flaps and vein diameter discrepancy (ratio ≥ 2:1) had significantly higher take-back rates.

CONCLUSION

 Flaps with a significant size discrepancy between donor and recipient veins (ratio ≥ 2:1) and fibula flaps (compared with soft tissue flaps) were associated with a higher risk of take-back. It is crucial to minimize venous engorgement during flap harvest and anastomosis, and limit vein redundancy during flap in-setting.

Head and Neck Reconstruction of the Vessel-Depleted Neck: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Damage of the vascular system secondary to radical neck dissection and/or radiotherapy or other treatments has a negative impact on microsurgical reconstruction. The search for adequate recipient vessels is hindered by the complexity of previous procedures.

METHODS

A systematic review of microsurgical head and neck reconstruction in the vessel-depleted neck was performed. The issues analyzed were indications for surgery, more frequently performed flaps, vascular systems used as recipient vessels, outcomes, and complications.

RESULTS

The eligibility criteria were fulfilled by 57 studies published between September 1993 and January 2020. In 8235 patients, 8694 flaps were performed, 925 of which were for a vessel-depleted neck. The most commonly used flap was the anterolateral thigh flap, used in 195 cases (30%), followed by the radial forearm free flap, used in 157 cases (24%). The potential recipient vessels were numerous for arteries (26 options) and veins (31 options). For the 712 flaps with an identifiable recipient artery, the superficial temporal artery was the most commonly used vessel (n = 142, 20%). The superficial temporal vein was the most commonly used vessel for 639 flaps with an identifiable recipient vein (n = 118, 18.5%). Complications amounted to 11%; 80 out of 716 flaps in papers that reported them. Flap losses were reported in 2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Major microsurgical head and neck reconstruction for postoncologic defects depends on appropriate recipient vessels. Vein availability is paramount. Understanding the complexity of this problem is useful for preoperative planning, precise decision-making, and an accurate surgical approach.

Comparison of the surgical outcomes of free flap reconstruction for primary and recurrent head and neck cancers: a case-controlled propensity score-matched study of 1,791 free flap reconstructions

This study was designed to compare the outcome and analyze the operation-related risk factors in free flap reconstruction for patients with primary and recurrent head and neck cancers. A 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis of the microsurgery registry database of the hospital. The primary outcome of the free flap reconstruction had a higher failure rate in the recurrent group than the primary group (5.1% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.037). Among the 345 pairs in the matched study population, there were no significant differences between the primary and recurrent groups regarding the rate of total flap loss (3.5% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.27) and secondary outcomes. This study revealed that free flap reconstruction had a higher failure rate in the recurrent group than the primary group, but such a difference may be attributed by the different patient characteristics.

Head and Neck Reconstruction in the Vessel Depleted Neck

Microvascular free tissue transfer has revolutionized reconstruction and subsequently functional outcomes in the head and neck, but requires suitable recipient vessels for successful results. Recipient vessels can be significantly compromised by prior surgery, radiation therapy, or existing and/or underlying vascular disease in the neck. When further microvascular reconstruction is required in the vessel-depleted neck, identification of appropriate vessels for anastomosis can be difficult and can present complex decisions for the surgeon as well as the patient. In this article, we review the available literature on the vessel depleted neck and the possible vessel options. We present critical strategies for preoperative treatment planning and vessel selection in these patients. We also discuss the benefits and limitations of arterial and venous options while commenting on our unique institution's experiences. The external carotid branches as well as the available subclavian artery branches are presented in detail. The venous anatomy is also described, with particular focus on the accompanying veins and cephalic vein. We provide guidance on the selection and modification of free flaps to achieve the greatest function and cosmetic outcomes in the vessel depleted neck. Our collection of advanced management techniques will provide surgeons with more options to manage the complexity of the vessel depleted neck, and to further help patients understand the risk and benefits of these selections.

Feasibility and Reliability of Microvascular Reconstruction in the Vessel-depleted Previously Operated Neck

Background:

Microvascular reconstruction of defects in the head and neck has always been a challenge in patients who have undergone previous neck dissection, owing to the prior resection of potential recipient blood vessels used for free flap perfusion.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to evaluate the reliability and safety of free flap reconstruction in patients who have had previous neck dissection.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-four free flaps were performed in 22 patients with a previous history of neck dissection for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma. These included patients who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent cancer as well as patients undergoing secondary reconstruction following previous oncological resections. Flap includes 12 radial forearm free flaps, 5 fibula flaps, 1 rectus abdominis flap, and 6 anterolateral thigh flaps.

Results:

In cases with the previous history of selective neck dissection, recipient vessels on the ipsilateral/same side of the previously operated neck were used, while contralateral vessels were used in patients with a history of modified radical or radical neck dissection. Vein grafts were not necessary, except for one case. In our series, we did not have any flap loss or considerable increase in operative time.

Conclusions:

Free flap reconstruction of head-and-neck defects is highly successful in patients with a history of previous neck dissection, despite a relative scarcity of recipient blood vessels. Careful planning and relying on flaps with a long vascular pedicle obviates the need to perform a suitable vein graft. In our present series, careful planning and the right choice of a free flap with a long vascular pedicle contributes to the absence of free flap failure. In our experience, previous neck dissection should not be considered as a contraindication to microvascular reconstruction of previously operated oncologic defects.