Evaluation of the External Jugular Vein Overlying the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle as Venous Lymph-Node Flap.

Background: Until recently, vascularized lymph-node flaps were based on arterial and venous donor vessels. Now, venous lymph-node flaps form a novel promising concept in the treatment of advanced-stage lymphedema. In preliminary studies, the external jugular vein has shown promising results as a venous lymph-node flap.