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

Abstract

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.