A CADAVER INVESTIGATION OF THE BLOOD-SUPPLY OF THE GALEAL FRONTALIS FLAP

The vascular anatomy of the galeal frontalis flap was studied in 12 fr esh cadavers by an intraarterial dye injection technique. Special atte ntion was directed to the length limit of this flap. The general belie f that the galeal frontalis flap has a robust vascularity by means of the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries was not demonstrated in t his study. In the medial half of the forehead, superficial branches of both arteries penetrated the frontalis muscle immediately above the s upraorbital rim and ran superficially in the subcutaneous tissue. In t he lateral half, some of the superficial branches of the supraorbital artery traveled with the frontalis muscle and anastomosed with the fro ntal branch of the superficial temporal artery. Deep branches of the s upratrochlear and supraorbital arteries showed an axial distribution o n the periosteum only for a short distance. One or mio branches of the supraorbital artery were found to take a superficial course within th e subgaleal layer, pierce the frontalis muscle, and anastomose with th e superficial temporal artery These findings suggest that the galeal f rontalis flap should be elevated in the lateral forehead. The preserva tion of the periosteum with the flap is recommended in order to ensure the temporoparietal extension.