저자들은 변형적 경부청소술을 시행받은 두경부암환자 23례를 대상으로 술 후 내경정맥의 유지여부을 후향적으로 연구한 결과 총 34측 경부청소술 중 28측(82.4%)에서 내경정맥이 유지됨을 알 수 있었다. 이는 기존의 연구결과와 비슷한 개존율임을 알 수 있었다. 내경정맥의 폐쇄요인으로 술중 정맥의 손상과 혈류정체, 장기간 수술로 인한 정맥벽의 건조, 수술시 제거되는 근막의 소실이 정맥의 유착과 압박을 초래하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 또한 다양한 치료방법과 술 후 발생하는 여러 요인들에 의해 내경정맥이 영향을 받는데 본 연구에서는 국소재발과 창상합병증등이 주된 영향을 준 것으로 판단된다. 방사선치료는 다른 복합적인 요소가 결부되어 단독적인 영향으로 판단하기엔 충분치 않으며 양측 경부청소술은 내경정맥의 폐색과는 무관한 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구는 증례수가 작고 추적기간이 짧은 한계점이 있으므로 향후 좀 더 많은 증례와 충분한 추적기간을 통한 연구가 필요하리라 판단된다.
Background: To avoid the major mobidity associated with bilateral radical neck dissection, modified radical neck dissection has become established as an effective adjunctive procedure in the management of head and neck cancer. But several studies reported early postoperative internal jugular vein(IJV) occlusion in patients who underwent modified radical neck dissection. Objectives: To determine internal jugular vein patency following modified radical neck dessection performed in various head and neck cancer and to identify factors associated with venous occlusion. Materials and Methods: From Aug. 1996 to Oct. 1997, twenty three patients underwent either unilateral or bilateral modified radical neck dissection; 19 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 28 to 75 were retrospectively examined. All patients had a preoperative doppler imaging or CT or both for their initial evaluation. A follow-up examination was obtained(after a minimum postoperative period of 2 months and a maximum one of 4 months). Results: Thirty-four IJVs were examined. All but six IJVs examined were found patent postoperatively. The preservation rate of patency of the IJV in modified radical neck dissection was found to be high(28 of 34 IJVs or 82%). Conclusion: The preservation rate of patency of the IJV in modified radical neck dissection was found to be high. These results favor the use of modified radical neck dissection for IJV preservation, particularly in bilateral neck dissection. A retrospective chart review revealed that trauma of the vessel and extrinsic compression of the vein by the musculocutaneous flap or recurrent carcinoma in the neck may be the cause of the vein occlusion.
