Free Flap Survival with External Jugular Vein as a Detour Due to Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis

In head and neck reconstructions, venous anastomosis of the free flap to the internal jugular vein system is a common procedure. However, in some cases, postoperative complications such as internal jugular vein thrombosis can occur. In this report, we present a case where postoperative internal jugular vein thrombosis was identified after venous anastomosis of the free flap to the internal jugular vein system. In this case, preserving the external jugular vein allowed for retrograde flow of venous blood in the internal jugular vein to enter the external jugular vein, serving as an alternative drainage pathway. This finding highlights the potential benefits of preserving the external jugular vein in head and neck surgery involving free flap venous anastomosis to mitigate the adverse effects of internal jugular vein thrombosis. Further investigations are warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms and optimize surgical approaches for improved patient outcomes.