Microsurgical anatomy of the arterial network of submental flap / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To provide microsurgical anatomy data in the course, branch, distribution, arterial network profile of the submental artery and the range of the flap excision in submental flap transplantation.Methods:From March, 2015 to March, 2020, a total of 36 head and neck cast specimens were studied. Acrylic-butadience-styrene plastic (ABS) filler were perfused into the external carotid artery to make cast specimens. The course, branching, distribution and the arterial framework of the submental artery under a surgical microscope were investigated.Results:The submental artery originated from the facial artery before reaching the lower edge of the mandible (1.50±0.50) cm, with a diameter of (1.50±0.85) (0.6-2.3) mm. The main trunk of submental artery was (5.5±0.5) cm in length, which ran forward along the lower edge of the mandible and branched out (9.0±3.0) (7-13) branches with diameters between 0.1-0.5 mm, and mainly distributed to skin and superficial fascia of the submental area. The main trunk of submental artery divided into ascending, horizontal and descending branches about 3.0 cm of the midline of the mandible. The ascending branch went upwards over the lower edge of the mandible and joined up with the lower labial arch or participated in the formation of the lower labial arch; the horizontal branch divided into several branches and joined up with the branches from the opposite side; the descending branch branched posteriorly and inferiorly, joined up with branches of lingual artery and superior thyroid artery. The branches of the submental artery and the branches of the peripheral arteries were joined up in the submental area to form the submental artery network. The diameter of the vessels in the network ranged 0.1-0.2 mm. The arterial network was built in the form of 1 to 3 layers, and the area of main network was about 7.0 cm×5.0 cm.Conclusion:The submental artery has a long trunk, many branches and abundant anastomoses between the branches, forming a dense submental artery network, which provides sufficient pedicle length, rich blood supply and cutting area for submental flap. The flap can be transplanted free or transposed. The best location of submental flap is near the midline of arterial network, and the appropriate area is 7.0 cm×5.0 cm.