[The arteries of the forehead as the basis of nasal reconstruction with forehead flaps]

Abstract

For the reconstruction of nasal defects, paramedian forehead flaps with a small pedicel are used. The nutrition of these flaps depends on the presence of an arterial blood vessel in the pedicel. In constructing the flap it is absolutely necessary to know the position and the course of the vessles in the forehead. The branches of the ophthalmic artery - dorsal nasal artery, supratrochlear artery, and supraorbital artery - are responsible for the nutrition of the forehead. These arteries are connected with those lying next to them. Additionally, they all anastomose with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery. The branches of the ophthalmic artery, lying in a more lateral position, follow a diagonal course compared with those lying more medially. Considering all forehead vessels, the forehead branch of the dorsal nasal artery is widely unknown, although it is very important for the supply of the central part of the forehead. Together with the supratrochlear artery, which lies on a paramedian line passing through the medial angle of the eye, it represents the nutrition vessels of the forehead flap. In case of injury of the ophthalmic artery, the anastomosis of the angular artery with the dorsal nasal artery can be of great importance for the supply of the flap.