A new landmark for lingual artery identification during transoral surgery: Anatomic‐radiologic study. Issue 5 (25th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gualtieri, Tommaso; Verzeletti, Vincenzo; Ferrari, Marco; Perotti, Pietro; Morello, Riccardo; Taboni, Stefano; Palumbo, Giovanni; Ravanelli, Marco; Rampinelli, Vittorio; Mattavelli, Davide; Paderno, Alberto; Buffoli, Barbara; Rodella, Luigi Fabrizio; Nicolai, Piero; Deganello, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 43:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1487
• Page End: 1498
• Publication Date: 2021-01-25
• Subjects: base of tongue -- bleeding -- landmark -- lingual artery -- transoral robotic surgery; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A landmark for the identification of the lingual artery (LA) through a transoral perspective can provide surgeons with an easy method to prevent and manage intraoperative bleeding during transoral approach to the base of tongue (BOT). Methods: Thirteen tongue and five head and neck specimens were dissected to identify and assess the reliability of the lingual point (LP) as a new landmark for the LA at BOT. The pathway of 42 LAs was radiologically evaluated; axial depth and vertical offset were measured for each LA. Results: Dissection study: a description of LP is provided; the LA was easily identified in all specimens (36/36 sides) using LP as a landmark. Radiologic study: the mean depth of the LA was 4.2 mm, the mean vertical offset was 1.3 mm. Conclusions: LP is a simple and reliable landmark for identification of the LA, potentially helping surgeons to prevent and manage intraoperative bleeding.