ArticleThe Journal of craniofacial surgery2026
Vein Grafting in Free Flap Surgery for Head and Neck Oncology: Necessity, Innovation, or Complication?
Article in The Journal of craniofacial surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveVein grafting may provide a valuable option in microvascular free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer when direct anastomosis is not feasible. This study assesses indications and outcomes, reappraises prevailing assumptions, and delineates clinical contexts in which the technique could enhance reconstructive reliability and success.
methodsThis retrospective study evaluates the use of vein grafts in microvascular free flap reconstruction for head and neck malignancies. Among 51 consecutive patients treated at S. Marco Hospital, University of Catania (2021-2024), 11 underwent vein grafting. In 4 cases, grafting was adopted as a secondary measure following anastomotic failure or excessive vessel distance that precluded direct anastomosis; in 7, it was planned from the outset due to anticipated vessel misalignment or insufficient pedicle length. The external jugular vein served as the graft conduit in all cases.
resultsAmong 11 patients, 5 underwent radial forearm flap, 2 fibular flap, 2 anterolateral thigh (ALT), and 2 latissimus dorsi flap. Four patients underwent radiotherapy, whereas 2 are still awaiting evaluation. Only 1 case resulted in flap necrosis, requiring surgical revision. Complications were minimal, with 1 case of wound dehiscence. No cases of venous thrombosis, arterial insufficiency, or total flap loss occurred beyond the single necrosis case. The overall flap survival rate was 91%.
conclusionsVein grafting is a safe, effective adjunct for head and neck free flap reconstruction, particularly when pedicle-recipient mismatch or thrombosis precludes direct anastomosis, and can improve outcomes in complex cases.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.