The Nasolabial Fold as Potential Vascular Receptor Site: An Anatomic Study

Abstract

Free and pedicled flaps are frequently used in reconstruction of the lower two-thirds of the face. For these reconstructions, the submandibular facial vessels are extensively used as a receptor site. In this anatomic study, we investigate if the facial vessels in the nasolabial fold can be used as a receptor site as well. In 13 human cadavers, the facial artery and vein were dissected in the nasolabial fold in the same way as would be done during surgery. The ease of dissection and length, diameter, and location of the vessels were analyzed. The average length of the dissected artery was 28 mm (+/-11 standard deviations [SD]) and of the dissected vein, 19 mm (+/-6 SD). The mean diameter of the artery was 1.5 mm (+/-0.4 SD) and 2.5 mm (+/-0.8 SD) for the vein. In 85% of the sides, both vessels were suitable to use as a microsurgical receptor site. The easy access and the measured diameter of the facial vessels in the nasolabial fold make it a potential site for microsurgical anastomosis.

More than just the helix: A series of free flaps from the ear

“…Nasolabial vessel nomenclature is variable and terms such as “angular vessels,” “nasolabial vessels,” or “nasolabial facial vessels” all essentially refer to the same entity. Two anatomical and two clinical studies have corroborated our own experience that these vessels can be reliably dissected and are of suitable calibre for microsurgical anastomosis (Haffey, McBride, & Fritz, ; Oh et al, ; Smit, Ruhe, Acosta, Kooloos, & Hartman, ; Smit, Hartman, & Acosta, ). The latter two clinical studies also noted the more lateral and deep location of the facial nasolabial vein.…”

“…A vein graft to the facial artery in the neck was only required in one case. Several studies have reviewed the use of the nasolabial facial vessels as recipient vessels (Haffey, McBride, & Fritz, 2014;Oh et al, 2011;Shimizu et al, 2015;Smit, Ruhe, Acosta, Kooloos, & Hartman, 2009;Smit, Hartman, & Acosta, 2007). Nasolabial vessel nomenclature is variable and terms such as "angular vessels," "nasolabial vessels," or "nasolabial facial vessels" all essentially refer to the same entity.…”

The Soft Tissue Landmarks to Avoid Injury to the Facial Artery During Filler and Neurotoxin Injection at the Nasolabial Region

“…13 Smit et al presented that the diameter of the facial artery at the nasolabial fold was 1.5 mm. 18 This arterial caliber at this level is still large enough for inadvertent arterial injection resulting in embolization and infarction. At the nasal ala region, no previous literatures reported diameter of the facial artery.…”

The Course and Variation of the Facial Vein in the Face—Known and Unknown Facts: An Anatomical Study

“…An in-depth understanding of the vascular anatomy of the face plays an important role in clinical practice including planning for surgical procedures in the face, such as free flaps, as well as in increasingly popular procedures such as filler or botulinum toxin injections. In all procedures, knowledge of the vascular anatomy is essential both to improve the results and to minimize the risk of complications [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. There is an abundance of literature on the facial artery, its course, branching and variations [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”