A reliable surface landmark for localizing supratrochlear artery: medial canthus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of medial canthus as a surface landmark to locate supratrochlear vascular pedicle. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The distance from medial canthal line to supratrochlear vascular pedicle was measured in 57 healthy volunteers (Doppler imaging study) and also in 15 fresh cadavers. RESULTS: In the Doppler study, the pedicle was found at most 3 mm lateral or medial to medial canthus (mean +/- SD, 0.8 +/- 0.7 mm). SVP mark tended to be medial to the medial canthus mark in females (males, 6; females, 42), whereas it was lateral to it in males (males, 20; females, 5). In the cadaver study, the pedicle was found 0.7 mm away from medial canthus on average. CONCLUSION: Medial canthus can be used as a reliable landmark for paramedian forehead flaps. When Doppler examination fails, pedicle may be found at most 3 mm away from medial canthus. SVP is more commonly located lateral to medial canthus in males and medial to it in females.