Étude anatomique des rapports de l'artère sous-mentonnière pour le prélèvement du lambeau sous-mentonnier

A skin incision made directly under the mandibular lower rim, as mentioned by some authors, may endanger the mandibular marginal branch of the facial nerve. Three positions of the submental artery in relation to the sub-maxillary gland are reported. The collateral branches are intended for gland, muscle, skin and bone. It is necessary to pay particular attention to the sub-lingual artery, an artery of big diameter that arises at 2.8 cm on average from its origin and plunges towards the mouth's floor. It must not be followed at risk of clamping the thin pedicle destined to the digastric muscle. It is important to preserve the fat tissue around the submental pedicle in order to avoid venous congestion of the flap.