A STUDY ON FACIAL ARTERY VARIATION AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATION FOR FACIAL SURGERIES

Introduction: Accurate knowledge of the normal and variant arterial anatomy of the facial artery is important for vascular radiology and will provide an anatomical basis to assist surgeons in performing maxillo-facial surgeries successfully. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed faces of unknown sex adult cadavers were dissected following the Cunningham's manual of practical anatomy, volume 3. The age of the cadavers was not noted. Results: The variations in the facial artery were grouped under three categories following the classification of Bayramet.al, 2010. Type I category ? Facial artery terminated as angular artery ; Type II category ? facial artery terminated as superior labial ; Type III ? Facial artery terminated as inferior labial .In present study (type-II) is seen. Premasseteric branch was observed. Discussion: Niranjan NS (1988) observed the variations of facial artery in 50 hemi-faces. According to him, facial artery terminated as angular artery in 68 % of hemi-faces, lateral nasal artery in 26% of hemi-faces, Superior labial artery in 4% of hemi-faces and 2% terminated at the alar base 12. In present study facial artery terminates as superior labial artery. A study conducted by Magden et.al (2009) , on the premasseteric branch, suggested that in 3% cases the diameter of premasseteric branch was larger than the facial artery. Conclusion: This study shows that the variation in the branching pattern of facial artery variations, which help in avoiding the mishaps during certain surgical procedures.