“Interposition Vein Grafting in Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction”

Background: Many surgeons are hesitant to use interposition vein grafting in head and neck microvascular free flap surgery due to concerns for elevated risk of flap loss. Methods: We conducted a review of patients who underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction between 2005 and 2015. The effect of vein grafts on flap compromise and flap loss were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. Results: A total of 3240 free flaps were performed. Vein grafts were used in 241 flaps (7.4%). The free flap compromise rate was 14.5% with vein grafts and 3.4% without vein grafts (p