Branching patterns of the arterial branches supplying the middle vascular pedicle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: a topographic anatomical study with surgical applications for the use of pedicles osteomuscular flaps

Abstract

When making a sternocleidomastoid (SCM) osteomuscular flap to include the clavicle and determining the rotation arc of the osteomuscular flap, it is very important to know the location and the origin of the superior thyroid artery and the distribution pattern of the SCM branch. Accordingly, in this study, the 50 SCM muscles and their arteries were dissected in 26 Korean cadavers, and the results were analyzed. The average distances from the origin of the superior thyroid artery to the clavicular and sternal heads of the SCM muscle were 87.6 mm (57.7-123.8 mm) and 131.2 mm (99.7-166.8 mm), respectively. The average distance from the origin of the superior thyroid artery to the SCM branch entering the SCM muscle was 30.1 mm (16.0-37.7 mm). After entering the SCM muscle, the SCM branches of the superior thyroid artery bifurcated into the clavicular and sternal branches at a point located an average of 58.8 mm (28.4-130.4 mm) above the clavicle. The distribution patterns of the superior thyroid artery were classified into six types based on the branching order and the dual supplies to the SCM muscle. Among them, type I in which the laryngeal branch first divided from the superior thyroid artery was the most common case (36%).

Variations in superior thyroid artery: A selective angiographic study

“…In 15% of cases, three patterns were noted: One in which the infrahyoid branch divided followed by sternomastoid artery, SLA, and the glandular branches; in the other group, the SLA originated from the ECA and the sternomastoid artery arose from the SLA; and finally, in yet another subset, infrahyoid branch originated from ECA and SLA divided first followed by sternomastoid artery and glandular branches. Similar branching pattern was reported by Hu et al 16. However, we believe that such a classification is too complicated for use during angiography and propose a simplified classification where the STA branching pattern is classified into three types: Bifurcation, trifurcation, and the third pattern (non-bifurcation, non-trifurcation).…”

>Method to prevent cheek depression using an island sternocleidomastoid muscle flap with the middle pedicle as a feeding vessel in immediate reconstruction of the facial nerve with the sural nerve following resection of a parotid gland tumor

“…The results reported by Leclere et al [9] revealed that, in the dissection of 15 cadavers, the blood supply to the sternocleidomastoid muscle was as follows: the upper one-third of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was 100% supplied by the occipital artery, while the middle one-third of the muscle was supplied by the superior thyroid artery or a direct branch of the external carotid artery or both, and other arteries were not observed. In contrast, in the lower part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the suprascapular, the transverse carotid, the carotid, and the superficial carotid arteries were mainly observed [10].…”

Effective botulinum toxin injection guide for treatment of cervical dystonia

“…Contraction of the SCM turns the head toward the opposite side or contralateral side. The present research focused on the importance of the SCM in neck pathophysiology (McLoon et al, ; Hu et al, ).…”