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How cranial could the sternocleidomastoid muscle be split?
Murat Sahin Alagöz1, Ahmet Cağri Uysal, Eray Tüccar
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|March 8, 2005
Summary
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle has distinct vascular patterns in its sternal and clavicular heads. Understanding this anatomy enables reliable SCM flaps for head and neck reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Surgical Reconstruction
Background:
- The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is increasingly utilized in head and neck reconstruction.
- Its viability as a flap depends on its vascular anatomy and the potential for splitting its heads.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vascular supply pattern of the SCM muscle's anterior (sternal) and posterior (clavicular) heads.
- To determine if the anatomical heads correspond to distinct vascular territories.
Main Methods:
- Detailed anatomical investigation of the SCM muscle's blood supply.
- Analysis of vascular pedicles supplying the sternal and clavicular heads.
Main Results:
- The occipital artery supplies the entire SCM muscle.
- The clavicular head receives its primary blood supply from a minor pedicle originating from the superior thyroid artery.
- A distinct vascular pattern was identified for each head.
Conclusions:
- The SCM muscle heads can be surgically split based on their vascular supply.
- Preserving the superior thyroid artery pedicle allows for reliable harvesting of the clavicular head for SCM flaps.
- The sternal head can be safely used for reconstruction, preserving the clavicular head and its pedicle.