A reliable surface landmark for localizing supratrochlear artery: medial canthus.

Abstract

To determine the reliability of medial canthus as a surface landmark to locate supratrochlear vascular pedicle. The distance from medial canthal line to supratrochlear vascular pedicle was measured in 57 healthy volunteers (Doppler imaging study) and also in 15 fresh cadavers. In the Doppler study, the pedicle was found at most 3 mm lateral or medial to medial canthus (mean +/- SD, 0.8 +/- 0.7 mm). SVP mark tended to be medial to the medial canthus mark in females (males, 6; females, 42), whereas it was lateral to it in males (males, 20; females, 5). In the cadaver study, the pedicle was found 0.7 mm away from medial canthus on average. Medial canthus can be used as a reliable landmark for paramedian forehead flaps. When Doppler examination fails, pedicle may be found at most 3 mm away from medial canthus. SVP is more commonly located lateral to medial canthus in males and medial to it in females.