An anatomical study of the facial artery / Un estudio anatómico de la arteria facial

The facial artery (a branch of the external carotid artery) is the main artery of the face. It gives rise to seven branches viz. inferior labial, superior labial, inferior alar, superior alar, lateral nasal and angular arteries, which are variable. This study included a dissection of twenty embalmed adult cadaveric head and neck specimens. The parameters of origin, branching patterns, termination and variations were analysed and compared with sex and laterality. The facial artery followed the standard anatomical description of origin in 84.62 % of the sample. Variations: (i) origin as a linguofacial trunk in 12.82 % and (ii) high origin in 2.56 % was observed. Male specimens displayed a higher number of linguofacial trunk origins (7.69 %). The branching patterns of the facial artery was classified into six types, with subtypes for Types 1 and 2. Subtype 1-A (standard anatomical description with early termination) occurred in most of the sample (46.15 %). Males were found to have more variations in branching patterns than females (48.72 % and 41.03 % respectively). Termination of the facial artery was as follows: inferior labial artery (5.13 %), superior labial artery (10.26 %), inferior alar artery (10.26 %), superior alar artery (46.15 %), lateral nasal artery (5.13 %), and angular artery (20.51 %). A single case (2.56 %) of an abortive artery was noted. Statistical analysis showed that sex was independent of each parameter observed in this study. Anatomical knowledge of the facial artery is of importance to clinicians and surgeons during procedures such as musculomucosal, island flaps and aesthetic dermatology.

La arteria facial (una rama de la arteria carótida externa) es la arteria principal de la cara. Da lugar a siete ramas: labial inferior, labial superior, alar inferior, alar superior, arterias nasales y angulares laterales, además de ramas pequeñas variables. Este estudio incluyó una disección de veinte muestras de cabeza y cuello de cadáveres adultos fijados. Los parámetros de origen, patrones de ramificación, terminación y variaciones fueron analizados y comparados con el sexo y la lateralidad. La arteria facial se originó de manera normal en el 84,62 % de la muestra. Variaciones: (i) origen como tronco linguofacial en 12.82 % y (ii) se observó un origen alto en 2,56 %. Las muestras en los hombres mostraron un mayor número de orígenes del tronco linguofacial (7,69 %). Los patrones de ramificación de la arteria facial se clasificaron en seis tipos, con subtipos para los Tipos 1 y 2. El subtipo 1-A (descripción anatómica normal con terminación temprana) se observó en (46,15 %) de la muestra. Las muestras de varones tenían una mayor variación en los patrones de ramificación que las muestras de mujeres, 48,72 % y 41,03 % respectivamente. La terminación de la arteria facial fue la siguiente: arteria labial inferior (5,13 %), arteria labial superior (10,26 %), arteria alar inferior (10,26 %), arteria alar superior (46,15 %), arteria nasal lateral (5,13 %) y arteria angular (20,51 %). Se observó un solo caso (2,56 %) de una arteria abortiva. El análisis estadístico mostró que el sexo era independiente de cada parámetro observado en este estudio. El conocimiento anatómico de la arteria facial es importante para los médicos y cirujanos durante procedimientos como colgajos musculomucosal y en la dermatología estética.

Reconstruction of unilateral cleft lip with vermilion musculomucosal flap: a clinical study / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To design a new vermilion musculomucosal flap to reconstruct the normal appearance of unilateral cleft lip,and to analyze the clinical effects.Methods All patients were repaired with Millard method,and vermilion musculomucosal flap was formed with fixed point method to repair vermilion.Normal function and morphology were recovered by reconstructing lip beads and forming a peak of cupid's bow.Results 78 cases were enrolled in this study.They were followed-up for 6 to 36 months after operation.Except for 6 cases of nasal deformity and 5 mild lift of vermilion of affected side,67 cases obtained satisfied nasolabial form and function,with full decline and symmetry of cupid's bow peak,and well form of nasolabial fold,and natural transition of vermilion,and significance of lip beads,and inconspicuous scars.Conclusions Appling vermilion musculomucosal flap for reconstructing vermilion of unilateral cleft lip has good effect,and it is simple and feasible.It can be a regular surgery method,and is worthy of clinical promotion.