Reconstruction of the jugular vein with autotransplantation in an experimental model

In experiments on 11 dogs, the authors attempted to develop a method for avoiding serious complications following simultaneous bilateral radical neck dissection. Both internal jugular veins were resected; one vein was reconstructed with the autologous v. femoralis. Blood flow in the reconstructed vein was normal in the early postoperative period in 8 dogs. In 7, phlebography confirmed normal blood flow in the reconstructed jugular vein after simultaneous injection of the contrast medium into both lingual veins, one and two months after surgery.