Surgical anatomy of the vascularized submental lymph node flap: Anatomic study of correlation of submental artery perforators and quantity of submental lymph node

Abstract

The submental lymph node flap has a constant vascular supply by the submental artery. Lymph node count is on average three. Lymph nodes are close to the submental artery and its perforators. Marginal mandibular nerve lies superficial to the facial artery and crosses the artery at 75% of the mandible body length (gnathion to gonion = 100%). J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:54-59. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The surgical anatomy of the vascularized lateral thoracic artery lymph node flap—A cadaver study

“…In contrast, Gerety et al counted around 1.8 gross lymph nodes at the thoracodorsal donor site. 28 Similar lymph node counts of other donor sites have been reported, [29][30][31][32] whereas our study revealed a much higher number of lymph nodes. Differences in lymph node quantity of our study compared to others may be attributed to our dissection under 2.5 times loop magnification.…”

Vascularized lymph node transfer for treatment of extremity lymphedema: An overview of current controversies regarding donor sites, recipient sites and outcomes

“…In a recent anatomic study, an average of 3.0 ± 0.6 lymph nodes has been identified in the flap of the submental region, extending from the posterior part of the submandibular gland to the digastric muscle anteriorly. The length and diameter of the pedicle submental artery is 6.4 cm and 1.3 mm, respectively, which is adequate for safe flap transfer and anastomosis …”

“…This flap is based on the submental artery axis and carries submental (level 1A) and submandibular (level 1B) lymph nodes . Cadaver dissection studies have been performed to evaluate the surgical anatomy of this flap . Following the branching from the facial artery, between the origin of the submental artery and the posterior border of the digastric muscle, the submental artery has an average of four perforators to supply the skin .…”

“…Cadaver dissection studies have been performed to evaluate the surgical anatomy of this flap . Following the branching from the facial artery, between the origin of the submental artery and the posterior border of the digastric muscle, the submental artery has an average of four perforators to supply the skin . In a recent anatomic study, an average of 3.0 ± 0.6 lymph nodes has been identified in the flap of the submental region, extending from the posterior part of the submandibular gland to the digastric muscle anteriorly.…”

“…8,41 Following the branching from the facial artery, between the origin of the submental artery and the posterior border of the digastric muscle, the submental artery has an average of four perforators to supply the skin. 41,42 In a recent anatomic study, an average of 3.0 ± 0.6 lymph nodes has been identified in the flap of the submental region, extending from the posterior part of the submandibular gland to the digastric muscle anteriorly. The length and diameter of the pedicle submental artery is 6.4 cm and 1.3 mm, respectively, which is adequate for safe flap transfer and anastomosis.…”