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The omohyoid odyssey: navigating the vein maze
Anbarasan Arunkumar1, Jeyashanth Riju2, Natarajan Ramalingam1
1Head and Neck Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
BMJ Case Reports
|June 24, 2025
Summary
This study reports a rare anatomical variation of a duplicated internal jugular vein near the omohyoid muscle during neck dissection. Awareness of this variation is crucial for surgeons to prevent vascular complications and ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Surgical Procedures
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Neck dissection is a common oncological surgery.
- The omohyoid muscle is a key landmark in the lower neck, protecting underlying neurovascular structures.
- Anatomical variations can pose risks during surgical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique anatomical variation involving the internal jugular vein and its relationship with the omohyoid muscle.
- To highlight the potential surgical implications of this variation.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing anatomical variations in neck dissection.
Main Methods:
- Case report describing an anatomical variation.
- Surgical observation during neck dissection.
Main Results:
- A duplicated internal jugular vein was identified.
- The duplicated vein exhibited a unique anatomical relationship with the omohyoid muscle.
- This variation, if unrecognized, could lead to significant vascular bleeding.
Conclusions:
- Anatomical variations, such as a duplicated internal jugular vein, are critical to recognize during neck dissections.
- Awareness of such variations enhances surgical safety and prevents potential complications.
- This case underscores the need for meticulous pre-operative assessment and intra-operative vigilance in oncological surgery.
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