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Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;125:1033-1034.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Microvascular free tissue transfer is an essential technique for treating malignant diseases of the head and neck. The Microvascular Anastomotic System (3M, St Paul, Minn) uses the friction-fit union of implant rings composed of high-density polyethylene and type 316L stainless steel pins. Several experimental and clinical studies of this system have been reported.^1-3 We have treated more than 100 cases of venous anastomoses with head and neck free flap reconstruction without any vascular problems.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has assumed a prominent role in the evaluation of these patients for the recurrence of tumors, but only 1 experimental report has been published concerning the influence of the implanted device on MRI.⁴ The presence of an intracranial aneurysm clip is considered to be an absolute contraindication to the use of MRI because the forces created by the magnetic field may cause dislodgment of the device from the aneurysm.⁵ The stainless steel . . . [Full Text of this Article]