TRANSAXILLARY SUBFASCIAL ENDOSCOPIC APPROACH FOR INTERNAL JUGULAR PHLEBECTASIA IN A CHILD

Background. Surgical intervention for internal jugular phlebectasia is occasionally necessary in cases of phlebitis, thrombus formation, rupture of the lesion, and some cosmetic deformity. However, the resultant neck scar can be of suboptimal cosmesis, with consequent psychological distress, particularly for children. Methods. We described a 3-port transaxillary endoscopic technique performed under the fascia of the pectoralis major for excision of the dilated right internal jugular vein in an 8-year-old girl. Results. The preservation of the upper tributaries of the right internal jugular vein was helpful in draining the cerebral blood to the collaterals and in preventing postoperative craniofacial swelling immediately. Six months later, there were no signs of recurrence of other jugular veins, and the patient showed a correct hemodynamic compensation. Conclusion. This technique offered an effective way to surgically manage internal jugular phlebectasia while avoiding the potential for poor cosmesis from any neck scar. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 32: 806-811, 2010