An anatomical study in the oriental nose of the location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage.

BACKGROUND: There is no well-known indicator that can assist with a precise intranasal incision during open rhinoplasty on the caudal border of the lower lateral cartilage. However, the vibrissae-bearing area is clinically known as a good landmark for cartilage. The aim of this study was to investigate the features of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage. METHODS: Twenty-four heminoses of fixed Japanese cadavers were dissected to clarify the anatomical location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage. RESULTS: The medial part of the vibrissae-bearing area was precisely located on the medial crus of the lower lateral cartilage. Via a transitional state at the dome, the lateral part was located cephalic to the lateral crus in a manner in which the vibrissae-bearing area was adjacent to the lateral crus (adjacent type) in 22 cases, whilst the vibrissae-bearing area overlapped the lateral crus to some extent (overlap type) in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical location of the vibrissae-bearing area in relation to the lower lateral cartilage is almost uniform, suggesting its utility as an open rhinoplasty incision landmark.

Internal jugular vein occlusion in head and neck microsurgical reconstruction.

The internal jugular vein has been the preferred recipient vein in head and neck microsurgical reconstruction. However, recent reports have demonstrated internal jugular vein occlusion after functional neck dissection. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate and discuss the possibility of recipient internal jugular vein occlusion after free tissue transfer. Of 58 patients who received an end-to-side venous anastomosis with the internal jugular vein, four cases of recipient internal jugular vein occlusion were detected during the early postoperative period. Although the success rate of end-to-side anastomosis with the internal jugular vein may be high, microsurgeons should be aware of the possibility of internal jugular vein occlusion.