Clinical Anatomy of Feeding Artery of the Submandibular Gland.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical anatomy of the feeding artery of the submandibular gland (SMG). A total of 199 SMG removals were performed in extraoral or intraoral approach with/without endoscopic assistance by a single surgeon. The feeding artery of the SMG was always identified intraoperatively and recorded in the operation record. The clinical anatomy of the feeding artery of the SMG was investigated based on the intraoperative findings. The facial artery was ligated and transected for the involvement of tumor or severe inflammation in 16 (8.0%) procedures. The feeding artery was investigated in the remaining 183 procedures. The mean number of the glandular branch was 1.5. There were 1 branch in 98 procedures (53.6%), 2 branches in 80 procedures (43.7%), and 3 branches in 5 procedures (2.7%). Detailed anatomical knowledge of the feeding artery of the SMG is useful for proper dissection of the SMG and preservation of the facial artery.