Updated anatomy of the buccal space and its implications for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

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Updated anatomy of the buccal space and its implications for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2017 Dec 08;:

Authors: Schenck TL, Koban KC, Schlattau A, Frank K, Sclafani AP, Giunta RE, Roth MZ, Gaggl A, Gotkin RH, Cotofana S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The buccal space is an integral deep facial space which is involved in a variety of intra- and extra-oral pathologies and provides a good location for the harvest of the facial artery. The age-related anatomy of this space was investigated and compared to previous reports.
METHODS: We conducted anatomic dissections in 102 fresh frozen human cephalic specimens (45 males, 57 females; age range 50-100 years) and performed additional computed tomographic, magnetic resonance and 3-D surface volumetric imaging studies to visualize the boundaries and the contents of the buccal space after injection of contrast enhancing material.
RESULTS: The mean vertical extent of contrast agent injected into the buccal space was 25.2 ± 4.3 mm and did not significantly differ between individuals of different age (p = 0.77) or gender (p = 0.13). The maximal injected volume was 10.02 cc [range: 3.09-10.02] without significant influence of age (p = 0.13) or gender (p = 0.81). The change in surface volume was 3.64 ± 1.04 cc resulting in a mean surface-volume-coefficient of 0.87 ± 0.12 without being statistically significant influenced by age (p = 0.53) or gender (p = 0.78).
CONCLUSIONS: The facial artery was constantly identified within the buccal space whereas the facial vein was found to course within its posterior boundary. The buccal space did not undergo age-related changes in volume or size which highlights this space is a reliable and predictable landmark for various plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

PMID: 29233508 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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