[Applied anatomy study on the reversed submental island flap].
OBJECTIVE
To provide anatomic data for clinical use of reversed submental island flap in reconstruction of buccal and facial defects.


METHODS
Twenty cadavers with 40 sides of head and neck which were fixed by formalin and perfused by red emulsion, 6 fresh cadavers which were perfused by coloring agent were dissected, observed and measured.


RESULTS
The diameter of the submental artery, the superior lip artery and the inferior lip artery at their origins were respectively (1.42 +/- 0.30) mm (x +/- s, same at below), (1.34 +/- 0.35) mm and (1.34 +/- 0.27) mm respectively. The realistic distance from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (50.13 +/- 13.79) mm and (92.09 8.73) mm, respectively. However, the straight distances from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (35.19 +/- 9.18) mm, (64.99 +/- 5.24) mm, respectively. There were rich anastomoses between both facial arteries, and the facial arteries also anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic artery and the superficial temporal artery. On the marginal mandibular plane, the facial vein ran closely with the artery, the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial blood vessels; superior to this plane, the vein ran 1 cm behind the artery. The buccal branches of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial vein and ran into the muscles behind or across the facial artery. The facial vein anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic vein and the maxillary vein.


CONCLUSIONS
There is anatomic feasibility for the reconstruction of buccal and facial defects by using pedicled submental reversed island flap. The reversing point of the flap ought to be at the cheilion plane or inferiorly. Anatomy, regional
Li
Guo-ping
GP
Department of Head and Neck Surrgery, Yuannan Provincial Tumor Hospital, Kunming 650118, China.
Li
Xiao-jiang
XJ
Sui
Jun
J
Chen
Shao-chun
SC
Liu
Zong-liang
ZL
D000328:Adult; D000718:Anatomy, Regional; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*