Free jejunal flap transfer is common in head and neck reconstruction, but necrosis remains a complication. A 77-year-old man underwent total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy, bilateral neck dissection, and free jejunal flap transfer. We anastomosed 3 arteries (facial, transverse cervical, and superior thyroid) and 1 vein (jejunal) because the recipient site’s arterial status was poor. On day 2, ultrasonography and visualization revealed that the anastomosed vein was obstructed in the cranial jejunum but the remainder was viable. The region recovered by day 7 and the patient began oral intake on day 30. Ultrasonography revealed that the anastomosed jejunal vein showed no waveform, the facial and transverse cervical arteries showed arterial waveforms, and the superior thyroid artery showed a retrograde venous waveform. The flap had survived because the blood exited through the superior thyroid artery and vein. Thus, additional vascular and arterial anastomoses are options for free flap survival if the vascular status is poor.
Reversed-Flow Superior Thyroid Artery: An Alternative Recipient Vessel in Head and Neck Reconstruction