Preventing Lymphedema in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Through Vein Reconstruction
This is not medical advice. AI-assisted translation — inaccuracies may occur. Always verify the original and consult your oncologist before taking any steps.
About the trial
\* The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if facial vein reconstruction after neck dissection works to reduce rates of lymphedema in adults getting surgical treatment for head and neck cancer. This is a trial which aims to improve the rate of lymphedema for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. Our aim is to re-establish venous flow across the facial vein to improve lymphatic drainage after neck dissection. * The investigators will also evaluate lymphatic flow before and after facial vein reconstruction to determine if there is evidence of lymphedema. * The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does facial vein reconstruction after neck dissection improved lymphatic flow in head and neck cancer patients? 2. Determine if there are changes in lymphatic flow before and after facial vein reconstruction? After the study is completed, the investigators will compare rates of lymphedema and quality of life in patients with facial vein preservation/reconstruction as compared to previous patients treated for head and neck cancer without facial vein reconstruction. Participants will undergo the following: 1. Oncologic and reconstructive surgery as normal. No changes in cancer treatment will occur due to the study. 2. When necessary, participants will undergo facial vein reconstruction immediately after neck dissection 3. Visit the clinic once every 3 months for routine checkups and tests. This is typical for most patients treated for head and neck cancer including those not enrolled in the trial. 4. Fill out short questionnaires to help understand quality of life after head and neck cancer treatment 5. Undergo lymphography in the OR and at the 1-year mark in the office. This is a simple test performed without radiation exposure. It requires 3 very small skin injections to perform the test.
Original English text from ClinicalTrials.gov
Who can (and can't) join
✓ Qualifies
- •Pacjent w dobrym stanie ogólnym, zdolny do codziennych czynności
- •Wymaga usunięcia węzłów chłonnych szyi obustronnie lub jednostronnie
- •Będzie otrzymywać dodatkowe leczenie (napromieniowanie i/lub chemioterapię) po zabiegu
- •Zdolny do regularnych wizyt i współpracy z badaniem
- •Brak uczulenia na indocyjaninę zieloną
✗ Disqualifies
- •Uczulenie na owoce morza
- •Nie może być operowany w znieczuleniu ogólnym
- •Wcześniej operowany, napromieniowany lub leczony chemioterapią z powodu raka głowy i szyi
- •Wymaga usunięcia głównej żyły szyjnej
- •Planowane całkowite lub częściowe usunięcie krtani
Simplified criteria — AI translation
Trial details
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
- Last updated (source)
- October 6, 2026
- Sex
- No restrictions
Therapies / drugs in trial
Locations (1)
UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and UPMC Shadyside Hospital
Pittsburgh, United States
Trial contact
Shaum S Sridharan, M.D.
Sridharan
Contact information from ClinicalTrials.gov. Contact in English.
Share this trial
Data from ClinicalTrials.gov. AI-assisted translation, last sync: 10/7/2026.
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