The temporoparietal, parieto-occipital flaps or the forehead flaps that are used in reconstructive surgery are prepared on the superficial temporal artery (STA) and its branches. For a successful surgery and a suitable flap design, adequate anatomical knowledge is needed. In our study, the red colored latex solution was injected into the external carotid artery; the STA and its branches were dissected in 27 specimens. The mean diameter of the STA at the zygomatic arch was determined as 2.73+/-0.51 mm. The diameters of the frontal branch were bigger than those of the parietal branch in 15 samples out of 27. The diameters of both the frontal and parietal branches were equal in four samples. The diameter of the parietal branch was bigger than that of the frontal branch in eight samples. In 20 samples out of 27 (74.07%), the bifurcation point of the STA was above the arch. In six samples (22.22%), the STA bifurcated directly over the arch. In only one sample (3.70%), bifurcation was not observed and the STA continued only as a frontal branch (absence of the parietal branch). The absence of the frontal branch was not encountered. In one sample (3.70%), double parietal branches were observed. In six samples out of 27 (22.22%), zygomatico-orbital artery was not encountered. In 21 samples (77.77%), zygomatico-orbital arteries ran towards the face, parallel to zygomatic arch and distributed in the orbicularis oculi muscle. The transverse facial artery existed in all samples. The auricular branches running to the helix and tragus were observed in all samples. The STA was 16.68+/-0.35 mm at the front of the tragus. Some landmarks were chosen on the head and then the STA was observed where it crossed all of these landmarks. This paper confirms the well-known variability of the superficial temporal arterial branches and their relation to the pericranial region. Knowledge concerning the arterial features of the lateral forehead region is important for the aesthetic surgeon. STA and its branches have been found to be suitable for use in microvascular anastomoses. A better understanding of the midline forehead vascularity should allow modification of reconstructive techniques and reduce postoperative complications.

VMEs into the PA and Ao beyond the VAJ are relatively common. It seems that their mere presence does not predispose to OT VTs. There are probably intrinsic arrhythmogenic properties in tissues specific to these regions in those patients who develop OT VTs.

The use of flaps to reconstruct lip defects requires detailed knowledge of the local vasculature. New flaps for surgery around the mouth can be devised if the surgeon knows the distribution of the perioral arterial branches. Examination of the anatomy of perioral branches of the facial artery (FA) confirmed the consistent presence of septal and alar branches in the upper lip and a labiomental branch in the lower lip. Mucosal flaps from the upper lip based on the deep septal branch or the alar branch of the FA can be used to restore lower lip defects. A composite flap from the lower lip supplied by the labiomental branch of the FA can be used to restore combined defects of the upper lip and nose or partial defects of the lower lip. We studied the vascular anatomy of the perioral region in 25 cadaver dissections. Fixation was by 10% formaldehyde solution. Red latex was injected into the common carotid arteries before dissection. In the 50 specimens, the primary supplying vessels were identified and the size and distribution of the vessels were investigated. The FA was symmetrical in 17 (68%) of 25 heads. It terminated as an angular facial vessel in 11 (22%), as a nasal facial vessel in 30 (60%), as an alar vessel in six (12%), and as a superior labial vessel in two (4%) facial halves. It terminated as a hypoplastic type of FA in one (2%) facial half. The average external diameter of the superior labial artery (SLA) was 1.6 mm (min-max: 0.6-2.8 mm) at its origin. The origin of the SLA was superior to the angle of the mouth in 34 of 47 specimens (72.3%), and at the angle of the mouth in 13 of 47 specimens (27.7%). In two of the remaining three specimens, the SLA was the continuation of the FA and the other was of the hypoplastic type. The SLA supplied the columellar branches in all specimens except for the hypoplastic type (49 specimens). Columellar branches were classified according to their number and their type. In five specimens (10%) the inferior labial artery (ILA) was not found. In the other specimens, the site of origin of the ILA varied between the lower margin of the mandible and the corner of the mouth. Its external diameter measured min-max: 0.5-1.5 mm. The ILA arose from the FA above the angle of mouth in 4 specimens (8%), inferior to the angle of mouth in 11 specimens (22%), and at angle of mouth in 30 specimens (60%). We observed that the labiomental arteries, which formed anastomoses between the FA, ILA, and submental artery, showed variations in their course in the labiomental region. We suggest that knowledge of the location of arteries with respect to easily identifiable landmarks will help to avoid complications at surgery.

No abstract

According to the results of the present study, styloid process elongation is more common in older adults with no correlation to gender. In addition, menopause had no effect on the calcification or elongation of the stylohyoid chain. The sum of the elongated SP and the calcified stylohyoid ligament was 28.8 %.