Recipient vessels for microvascular transplants in patients with hemifacial microsomia.
Hemifacial microsomia is a developmental abnormality involving structures derived from the first and second branchial arches. Microvascular transplants are increasingly being used to improve facial contour in patients with this condition. We have reviewed 9 patients with this abnormality to determine which recipient vessels have been used. In 6 patients, the facial vessels were located and used for flap revascularization. In 3 patients, the facial vessels could not be identified intraoperatively, and the occipital artery and a branch of the external jugular vein were used as recipient vessels. In this series of hemifacial microsomia patients, therefore, the facial vessels could not be located in 3 patients. We recommend that surgeons performing microsurgical transplants in cases of hemifacial microsomia be prepared to explore the external carotid and external jugular systems for recipient vessels.
Huntsman
W T
WT
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, NY.
Lineaweaver
W
W
Ousterhout
D K
DK
Buncke
H J
HJ
Alpert
B S
BS
D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply*; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D008866:Microsurgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures