A 3D map of the lingual artery-The perfect tool for transoral robotic surgeries on the base of tongue.

BACKGROUND

Knowledge about the anatomy of the lingual artery (LA) is of immense importance when performing procedures on the base of tongue (BOT).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed to establish morphometric data of the LA. The measurements were performed on 55 consecutive patients who underwent head and neck computed tomography angiographies (CTA).

RESULTS

A total of 96 LAs were analyzed. Additionally, a three-dimensional heat map (showing the oropharyngeal region from the lateral, anterior, and superior point of view) of the occurrence of the LA and its branches was created.

CONCLUSION

The length of the main trunk of the LA was measured to be 31.94 ± 11.44 mm. This reported distance is thought to be a surgical safe zone when performing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) on the BOT because it represents the area where the LA does not give off any major branches.