The transverse facial artery anatomy: Implications for plastic surgery procedures

The transverse facial artery (TFA) perfuses the lateral face. Knowledge of topographical anatomy of the lateral face is crucial for safe procedural performance in aesthetic and plastic surgery, especially the face lift flap and face transplant. The aim of the present study was to assess detailed TFA...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2019-02, Vol.14 (2), p.e0211974-e0211974
Main Authors: Koziej, Mateusz, Polak, Jakub, Wnuk, Jakub, Trybus, Marek, Walocha, Jerzy, Chrapusta, Anna, Brzegowy, Paweł, Mizia, Ewa, Popiela, Tadeusz, Hołda, Mateusz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Anatomy
Arches
Arteries - anatomy & histology
Arteries - diagnostic imaging
Biology and Life Sciences
Blood vessels
Branch banking
Carotid arteries
Carotid artery
CAT scans
Computed tomography
Computed Tomography Angiography
Doppler ultrasonography
Face
Face - blood supply
Face - diagnostic imaging
Face - surgery
Female
Head
Humans
Male
Medical imaging
Medicine and Health Sciences
Middle Aged
Plastic surgery
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Research and Analysis Methods
Surgery
Tomography
Transplants & implants
Ultrasonic imaging
Vascularization
Veins & arteries
Zygomatic arch
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Summary:The transverse facial artery (TFA) perfuses the lateral face. Knowledge of topographical anatomy of the lateral face is crucial for safe procedural performance in aesthetic and plastic surgery, especially the face lift flap and face transplant. The aim of the present study was to assess detailed TFA morphometrical features. One-hundred computed tomography head angiographies were analyzed. TFA numbers and origins were recorded bilaterally (200 cases). TFA diameters and lengths in addition to their positions in relation to neighboring vessels and the zygomatic arches were measured. TFA was present in 96% of cases (192/200, left = 97, right = 95). A single TFA was present in 95.3% and double TFAs were present in 4.7% of cases. In 91.7%, the TFA originated from the superficial temporal artery, and in 3.1%, it originated from the external carotid artery. One left TFA originated from the maxillary artery. The TFA was significantly longer on the right than on the left side (56.6±26.0 versus 47.3±22.2 mm; p = 0.03). The TFA mean diameter was 1.0±0.4 mm (range: 0.4-2.2 mm) with no difference between face sides. TFA length correlated with its diameter (r = 0.46, p
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0211974