[Changes in hemodynamics after ligation and embolization of the external carotid artery]

The authors were the first ones who obtained the established collateral vascular anatomy after external carotid artery embolization and ligation with angiography, vascular transparent specimen filled with ink, microvessel casting and scanning electronic microscope. The results indicated that the rich collateral circulation would be established after external carotid artery ligation. Ligation itself could not cut off blood supply to lesion area. Embolization, in turn, can effectively obstruct blood supply by reducing collateral branches. So we suggest that it is better to use external carotid embolization rather than external carotid ligation for those oral maxillofacial lesions with rich blood supply.