NCT07694726Recruiting
Preventing Lymphedema in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Through Vein Reconstruction
Lymphedema Prevention With Facial Vein Preservation or Reconstruction During Neck Dissection for Operable Head & Neck Cancer
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 6 Oct 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
\* 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.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 37 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 3 Jul 2026
- Start date
- 3 Oct 2026
- Primary completion date
- Jul 2028
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
- Diseases
- Head and neck cancer
- NCT number
- NCT07694726
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 37
- From 3 Oct 2026 to the primary completion date, Jul 2028
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Contraindication to surgery under general anesthesia
- Prior head and neck surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy for HNC
- Patients requiring sacrifice of the internal jugular vein or resection of neck skin for oncologic care
Other illness
- Shellfish Allergy
Other
- Anticipated partial or total laryngectomy
- Pregnancy or lactation
Who the study is looking for
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1
- Ability to comply with the study protocol, including follow up visits and additional requirements for data collection
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Patients requiring unilateral or bilateral neck dissection. Patients must undergo at least three level neck dissection which must include level 1B
- Patients will undergo radiotherapy +/-chemotherapy after surgery for HNC. Patients will be required to have adjuvant therapy after surgery to have similar risk of development of lymphedema.
- No history of allergy to indocyanine green.
Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and UPMC Shadyside Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Pittsburgh | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.