The Reverse-Flow Facial Artery Buccinator Flap for Skull Base Reconstruction: Key Anatomical and Technical Considerations

• DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1551669
• Publication Date: 2015-06-02T01:22:01Z
• Authors: Zainab Farzal; Ana Lemos-Rodriguez; Rounak Rawal; Lewis Overton; Satyan Sreenath; Mihir Patel; Adam Zanation
• Keywords: Clivus; Cadaveric spasm; Cribriform plate; Facial artery

<b>Objective</b> To highlight key anatomical and technical considerations for facial artery identification, harvest transposition of the buccinator (FAB) flap to facilitate its future use in anterior skull base reconstruction. Only a few studies have evaluated reverse-flow FAB defects. <b>Design</b> Eight flaps were raised four cadaveric heads divided into thirds; artery's course at superior inferior borders was measured noting which incisional third it laid. The flap's reach cranial fossa, sella turcica, clival recess, contralateral cribriform plate studied. A clinical case operative video are also presented. <b>Results</b> had near vertical stayed with middle (⅝) or posterior (⅜) incisions. Seven eight covered sellar/planar regions. region. Lastly, none reached clivus. <b>Conclusions</b> requires an understanding course, generally seen flap, is appropriate alternative ipsilateral