Anatomical basis for a new island axial pattern flap in the perioral region

Soft tissue defects of the perinasal and perioral regions usually result from trauma and tumor resection as well as from congenital diseases. Coverage of facial defects is frequently challenging. The goal of reconstruction is to achieve a functional and esthetically satisfactory result. The most common techniques of wound care, such as full-thickness skin grafts and primary wound closure, are not suitable in all cases and therefore transposition flaps become necessary. Despite the description of numerous flaps, the search for other reconstruction possibilities and the development of additional flaps with good color match and minimal donor site morbidity is continuing. The purpose of our study was to describe the course of the facial artery and the pattern of its branches, because clinical cases have shown that there are branches which are suitable for skin island flaps. During the anatomical dissection of 31 cadavers (62 hemifaces), we analyzed a cutaneous branch of the facial artery, which we named due to its topographical location the "cutaneous zygomatic branch". This vessel shows a highly constant origin and course, as well as a relatively wide area of supplied skin. Based on our anatomical observations, we suggest a new axial pattern skin island flap which awaits clinical application. We feel that this flap has great future potential.