Outcomes following head neck free flap reconstruction requiring interposition vein graft or vascular bridge flap
Background: Interposition vein grafts (IVG) and vascular bridge flaps (VBF) have been exploited as vascular conduit in challenging head and neck reconstructions. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 6025 flaps. The effect of patients' characteristics and length of IVG on flap compromise and loss were analyzed. Comparison between IVG and VBF was performed. Results: The flap compromise and loss rates for the overall group were 8.2% and 3.2%, respectively. An IVG was used in 309 free flaps. The average length of the vein grafts was 6.9 ± 4.2 cm.