Three-Dimensional Location of the Facial Artery in Relation to the Nasolabial Fold in Asian People: A Cadaveric CTA Study.

Abstract

Injection cosmetics have become popular in recent years. The nasolabial fold is one of the most important and dangerous regions in the midface, and its three-dimensional relationship with the facial artery remains unclear. Fifty-two cadavers infused with lead oxide contrast medium via the external carotid arteries were scanned by computed tomography (CT). The three-dimensional model was reconstructed using Mimics and Origin software, and the relevant data were calculated using validated algorithms. There were three facial artery types according to its course in relation to the nasolabial fold. In the most common type, accounting for 83.7% of specimens, the facial artery evolves into an angular artery, with a horizontal distance between facial artery and nasolabial fold of - 1.90 ± 2.40, - 3.90 ± 2.95, - 5.18 ± 3.42, - 5.59 ± 3.53, - 5.59 ± 3.83, - 6.07 ± 4.10, - 6.92 ± 3.70, - 6.79 ± 3.37, - 4.52 ± 3.20, and - 2.76 ± 3.60 (mm) from the nasal ala to the oral commissure and a vertical distance of - 4.03 ± 2.56,- 3.27 ± 2.27,- 2.81 ± 2.57, - 2.1 ± 2.64,- 1.5 ± 3.32,- 0.71 ± 3.99,0.92 ± 4.43,0.4 ± 5.31,- 4.14 ± 5.14,- 7.05 ± 4.74 (mm). The facial artery is vulnerable to damage when injecting filler in the nasolabial fold. For the upper 1/3 of the nasolabial fold, the supraperiosteal layer is recommended for injection, while for the lower 2/3 of the nasolabial fold, the dermal layer along the nasolabial fold is recommended. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .