Interposition spiral saphenous vein graft bypass in bilateral simultaneous radical neck dissection

We advocate the use of the spiral saphenous vein bypass of the IJV when bilateral radical neck dissections are performed with the sacrifice of both IJV. The technique we have described herein is uniformly successful in this setting and associated with only 30 minutes to one hour of increased operative time. This bypass will decrease the postoperative facial edema and associated complications and allow the patient to go on to radiation and chemotherapy in an expeditious and safe manner.