OBJECTIVETo provide anatomic data for clinical use of reversed submental island flap in reconstruction of buccal and facial defects.

METHODSTwenty cadavers with 40 sides of head and neck which were fixed by formalin and perfused by red emulsion, 6 fresh cadavers which were perfused by coloring agent were dissected, observed and measured.

RESULTSThe diameter of the submental artery, the superior lip artery and the inferior lip artery at their origins were respectively (1.42 +/- 0.30) mm (x +/- s, same at below), (1.34 +/- 0.35) mm and (1.34 +/- 0.27) mm respectively. The realistic distance from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (50.13 +/- 13.79) mm and (92.09 8.73) mm, respectively. However, the straight distances from the origin of inferior and superior lip arteries to the origin of submental artery were (35.19 +/- 9.18) mm, (64.99 +/- 5.24) mm, respectively. There were rich anastomoses between both facial arteries, and the facial arteries also anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic artery and the superficial temporal artery. On the marginal mandibular plane, the facial vein ran closely with the artery, the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial blood vessels; superior to this plane, the vein ran 1 cm behind the artery. The buccal branches of the facial nerve crossed superficially to the facial vein and ran into the muscles behind or across the facial artery. The facial vein anastomosed richly with the ophthalmic vein and the maxillary vein.

CONCLUSIONThere is anatomic feasibility for the reconstruction of buccal and facial defects by using pedicled submental reversed island flap. The reversing point of the flap ought to be at the cheilion plane or inferiorly. Anatomy, regional