【Abstract】 Objective To study the image of the muscular and cutaneous branches of supratrochlear artery by internal and external carotid angiography and to design the frontal flap for nasal reconstruction. Methods The muscular and cutaneous branches of supratrochlear artery of 30 adults were investigated through internal and external carotid angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction of vessels to explore the courses of branches of supratrochlear artery and their communication with supraorbital artery. According to image observation, the frontal flap was designed and used to perform nasal reconstruction in 11 cases of nasal defects, including 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 23 years (range, 15-48 years). The nasal defect ranged from 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm to 5.0 cm × 3.5 cm. Results Internal carotid angiography and three-dimensional imaging of the vessels showed that supratrochlear artery was found in 30 patients, with a diameter of (0.9 ± 0.6) mm. The superficial cutaneous branch appeared constantly with a diameter of (0.7 ± 0.3) mm. Deep muscular branch traveled among frontal muscle, with a diameter of (0.5 ± 0.5) mm and a length of (32.0 ± 6.2) mm, and it was missing in 4 patients, the branches communicated with each other and with supraorbital artery. All flaps survived with good appearance and without cartilage exposure. After 4 months to 3 years of follow-up, the postoperative aesthetic appearance and function of nasal tip, alar, and columella were satisfactory; the height and slope length of the external nose were moderate; and the reconstructed nose had good texture and normal ventilation function without constriction of naris. Conclusion Imaging studies support the fact that supratrochlear artery has constant cutaneous branch. The application of frontal flap pedicled with cutaneous branch can improve the effectiveness of nasal reconstruction.
Objective To investigate the variation of supratrochlear vein and its relationship with supratrochlear artery and to provide anatomical basis for the reduction of congestive necrosis of paramedian forehead flap in the reconstruction of nasal defect. Methods Twenty sides of 10 antiseptic head specimens were anatomized macroscopically and microscopically. Using the horizontal and anterior median l ine of supraorbital rim as X and Y axis to locate supratrochlear vein and artery, the angles between the supratrochlear artery and vein and the supraorbital rim were detected, and the distances from the supratrochlear artery and vein to the anterior median l ine on the horizontal l ine of supraorbital rim were measured. Results The distance from the supratrochlear artery and supratrochlear vein to the anterior median l ine on thehorizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (16.2 ± 2.1) mm and (9.7 ± 3.1) mm, respectively, indicating there was a significant difference (P lt; 0.05). The angle between the supratrochlear vein and artery and the supraorbital rim was (83.3 ± 6.4)° and (80.5 ± 4.2)°, respectively, indicating there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). Two asymmetric supratrochlear veins were observed around the area of anterior median l ine in every specimen, one was far from the anterior median l ine (group A) and the other was close to or even on the l ine (group B). The distance from the supratrochlear veins to the anterior median l ine on the horizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (11.0 ± 1.9) mm in group A and (7.9 ± 3.2) mm in group B, showing there was a significant difference between two groups (P lt; 0.05). For all the specimens, the supratrochlear vein ran laterally along the medial anterior median l ine of the supratrochlear artery (one side was just on the anterior median l ine). The distance from the supratrochlear veins to the supratrochlear arteries on the horizontal l ine of the supraorbital rim was (6.6 ± 3.2) mm, (5.5 ± 2.0) mm in group A and (7.9 ± 3.9) mm in group B, indicating the difference between two groups was significant (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The pedicle of the paramedian forehead flap should be wide enough (1.5-2.0 cm), the lateral boundary of the pedicle should be the supratrochlear artery while the medial boundary should be the supratrochlear vein.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of reconstruction of the contracted eye socket by an application of the expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries. Methods From June 2002 to June 2005, 6 patients with the eye socket defects were treated with an expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries.There were 4 males and 2 females, aged 16-42 years. The defects were caused bytumors in 2 patients, by trauma in 3, and by chemical burns in 1; the defects were in the left eyes of 4 patients and in the right eyes of the remaining 2 patients, with the illness course of 1 year to 4 years.All the patients first underwent the skin and soft tissue expanding operation on the donor forehead skin area; 1 month later, the transplant of the expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries was performed to reconstruct the eye sockets. The flaps ranged in size from 8 cm×5 cm to 10 cm×6 cm.The appearance and functional recovery of the reconstructed eye sockets were observed after operation. Results The follow-up of all the patients for 1-3 years revealed that the skin flaps survived, with no visible contracture, and the fine sensory function was still present. The artificial eyes could be steadily placed in the reconstructed eye sockets. The donor areas were healed with no visible hyperplastic scars. Conclusion Reconstruction of the eye socket with an expanded forehead island skin flap with the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries is a feasible, effective and simply method, and the patient can have a concealed incision, a satisfactory appearance, and a fine sensory function.