Angular vessels as a new vascular pedicle of an island nasal chondromucosal flap: Anatomical study and clinical application

Superimposition Study to Determine the Angular Arterial Distribution and Its Clinical Application

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of the angular artery (AA) in the medial canthal area with the aim of defining an arterial course to prevent AA injury during facial surgery in this region.

METHODS

The authors dissected 36 hemifaces of 18 cadavers. The horizontal distance from the vertical level through the medial canthus to the AAs was measured. The AA course of each specimen was then recorded, and all of them were then superimposed to determine the AA course. The diameter and depth of the AA around the medial canthal area were also investigated using ultrasonography on living subjects.

RESULTS

The horizontal distances from the medial canthus level and 2 cm below the medial canthus were 9.0 ± 2.0 mm (mean ± SD) and 1.9 ± 2.4 mm, respectively. The superimposed image demonstrated that most of the AAs were present inside the vertical line through the medial canthus. Ultrasonography indicated that the AA was 2.3 ± 0.9 mm below the skin and 1.7 ± 0.3 mm in diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

The AA course was relatively constant along the nasojugal fold. The AAs were most often present between the middle of the medial canthus and the facial midline, but were very scarce in both the medial and lateral thirds. Knowledge of the detailed course of the AA may help surgeons to avoid arterial injury and decrease the risk of surgical morbidities around the nasal root and medial canthal area.

Nasal Tip Vascularization and Its Application for Columellar Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

Many studies have been published about the vascular anatomy of the nose and its utility for nasal reconstruction. Anatomic variations of the main arteries and their perforators are well described in the literature. A nasal tip perforator, not well described in the published studies, is analyzed in the present study and its utility for columellar reconstruction. This paper presents an anatomic study of the nasal tip artery and its clinical applications for columellar repair.

METHODS

This study investigated the nasal tip perforator artery during nasal tip flap surgery for columellar repair in patients with sequels after nasal continuous positive airway pressure use. A descriptive anatomic study was conducted using intraoperative vascular dissection of patients operated on for nasal columellar defects by the author between 2013 and 2018. An observational study of a group of patients operated on for columellar repair using the axial nasal tip flap is presented here.

RESULTS

The nasal tip artery was found in all the intraoperative dissections. Location and trajectory are described. Observed columellar length and width in operated patients have been nonstatistical and significantly different than controls in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence and trajectory of the nasal tip artery have been consistent in all the studied cases. The nasal tip flap based on this perforator has been a useful method for columellar repair in the studied group of patients. The presence of this vessel may augment blood supply to the nasal tip skin. By confirming the preservation of this artery, the surgeon may elevate the nasal tip flap safely.

Angular artery island flap for eyelid defect reconstruction

Eyelid reconstruction is a challenging surgical procedure because of the special function and structure of the eyelids. There are various useful techniques which can be used to reconstruct eyelid defects. In this report, the authors aimed to present the clinical results of angular artery-based island flap for the repair of the full thickness eyelid defects. This presented series consists of eight patients with full-thickness eyelid defects. Oncologic resection was the reason for all of them. Five of the patients had lower eyelid defects and the other three had upper eyelid defects. Nasojugal angular artery-based axial flap was used in reconstruction in all patients. The inferior limit of the flap was the alar rim level in order to make the flap totally axial. A tunnel was created under the orbicularis oculi muscle in cases where the medial portion of the eyelids was left intact and healthy. Septal chondromucosal graft was used to repair posterior lamella of the eyelid. The follow-up period of the cases was from 12 months to 22 months, with a mean follow-up period of 16 months. There was only one patient with reconstructed upper eyelid needed flap defatting. There was no ectropion or wound healing problem observed during the follow-up period. This presented series shows that angular artery-based axial flap and septal chondromucosal graft combination is a simple and safe technique for both upper and lower eyelid full-thickness defect reconstruction. The donor site of this flap heals with an inconspicuous scar concealed in the nasojugal area.

Posterior lamellar reconstruction: a comprehensive review of the literature

The aim of the review is to describe the different techniques and materials available to reconstruct the tarsoconjunctival layer of the eyelid; to analyze their indications, advantages, and disadvantages. We searched the Cochrane, PubMed, and Ovid MEDLINE databases for English articles published between January 1990 and January 2017 using variations of the following key words: "posterior lamella," "eyelid reconstruction," "tarsoconjunctival," "flap," and "graft." Two reviewers checked the abstracts of the articles found to eliminate redundant or not relevant articles. The references of the identified articles were screened manually to include relevant works not found through the initial search. The search identified 174 articles. Only a few articles with a therapeutic level of evidence were found. Techniques for the posterior lamellar reconstruction can be categorized as local, regional, and distant flaps; tarsoconjunctival, heterotopic, homologous, and heterologous grafts. Several techniques and variations on the techniques exist to reconstruct the posterior lamella, and, for similar indications, there's no evidence of the primacy of one over the other. Defect size and location as well as patient features must guide the oculoplastic surgeon's choice. The use of biomaterials can avoid possible complications of the donor site.

Eponym of Naso-Jugal Fold and Tear Trough

The aim of this study is to find out the eponym of the naso-jugal fold and tear trough and to make a suggestion to standardize the terminology.In a PubMed search, the search terms (naso-jugal) and (fold OR groove); (tear trough) and (anatomy) were used, which resulted in 48 and 37 titles, respectively. Eliminating duplicated titles, 80 abstracts were reviewed. Among them, 18 full papers were reviewed. Two papers were excluded and 3 mined papers were added. Finally, 19 papers were reviewed.In a paper published by an ophthalmologist Dr David Miller, "tear trough" was first used for designating the circular trough carved into a scleral contact in 1969. In the remaining 18 papers including 1 conference presentation, 6 terms were used for the same structure; naso-jugal fold (4), naso-jugal groove (4), naso-jugal ditch (1), tear trough (5), tear trough deformity (6), and tear trough depression (1). Whitnall first used "naso-jugal" and 10 other papers stated "naso-jugal." Eight papers cited Whitnall (2), Duke-Elder (2), and Loeb (4) in the origin of the term "naso-jugal." Flowers adapted "tear trough" for the cheek groove and 12 other papers wrote "tear trough." Eleven papers cited Flowers (9), Le Louarn (1), Mendelson (1) when referring to the origin of the term "tear trough."The name of the structure should contain "naso-jugal" rather than "tear trough" because "naso-jugal" was coined earlier and expresses the location of the structure. The recommended term should be "the deepened naso-jugal groove" since it deepens with age.

Morphometrical aspect on angular branch of facial artery

Anatomic variability and anastomosis of the angular artery of the facial artery with the other arteries are important for both anatomists and surgeons. In particular, the angular artery is a significant landmark in dacryocystorhinostomy. Because of variations on anatomy of the angular artery, there are limited numbers of anatomic studies on the flaps of facial region. Hence, the aim of the cadaveric study was to evaluate the anatomic features of the angular artery in detail to help surgical procedures.The artery was represented under ×4 loop magnification in 32 sides of 16 formalin-fixed adult cadavers. The angular artery's position, diameter, and branch patterns relevant to the nose arterial supply were evaluated. The facial artery ended symmetrically in 10 (62.5%) of the cadavers. The facial artery was terminated as angular artery in all of the cases. The types of the angular artery were as follows: classical angular type in 8 cases (25.0%), nasal type in 15 cases (46.9%), alar type in 4 cases (12.5%), and labial type in 5 cases (15.6%) on the facial halves. We studied the topographic anatomic features of the angular artery for increasing reliability of the flaps on the region. The angular arterial anatomic details are critical and essential for surgical cosmetic and functional results.

Description of a novel anatomic venous structure in the nasoglabellar area

Injectable dermal fillers are frequently used to reduce the appearance of various facial creases and rhytids. However, venous complications can develop while injecting dermal filler, especially in the nasoglabellar area. The aims of this study were to determine the anatomic patterns of the veins in the nasoglabellar area and to elucidate their detailed location with reference to various facial landmarks. Forty-one heads from Korean and Thai cadavers were dissected. When the anastomosing vein between the bilateral angular veins (AVs) was located in the nasoglabellar area, it was designated the intercanthal vein (ICV). The bilateral AVs continued as the facial vein without any communicating branches in 12 cases (29.3%). At the radix of the nose, the AV communicated with the ICV, connecting them bilaterally. The ICV was found above (type IIA) and below (type IIB) the intercanthal line in 26 (63.4%) and 3 (7.3%) cases, respectively. The ICV can be regarded as a candidate causative site for the frequent complications associated with dermal filler injection in the nasoglabellar area, and utmost care should be taken when injecting in this area, such as when performing radix augmentation and softening wrinkles in the glabellar area.

The anatomical origin and course of the angular artery regarding its clinical implications

BACKGROUND

The purposes of this study were to determine the morphological features and conceptualize the anatomical definition of the angular artery (AA) as an aid to practical operations in the clinical field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one hemifaces from 17 Korean cadavers and 26 hemifaces from 13 Thai cadavers were dissected.

RESULTS

The topography of the AA was classified into 4 types according to its course: Type I (persistent pattern), in which the AA traverses the lateral side of the nose (11%); Type II (detouring pattern), in which the AA traverses the cheek and tear trough area (18%); Type III (alternative pattern), in which the AA traverses the medial canthal area through a branch of the ophthalmic artery (22.8%); and Type IV (latent pattern), in which the AA is absent (26.3%).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study will contribute toward improved outcomes for cosmetic surgery involving the injection of facial filler by enhancing the understanding of AA anatomy.