An easy and cheap way of staining the arterial supply of the face: a preclinical study of visualization of facial vascular territories in human cadavers

INTRODUCTION: A cadaver study in preparation of a facial allograft transplantation in humans requires accurate dissection of the arterial, venous and nerve pedicles. A simple and cheap method for the use of arterial tree mapping in cadaver soft tissue is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight fresh cadavers aged 55-89 years at the time of death were studied. Five were female and three were male. All injections were performed within four post-mortem days. RESULTS: Our method determined the perfusion territories of the human face without risk of spillage of the dye from capillary structures and showed the arteries very clearly. Vascular patterns of the face were interpreted after dyed gel mixture injection. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the current reconstructive procedures on the face, but also helps and allows the anatomical dissection to be carried out in an effective and safe manner. The dyed gel mixture represents a valid, cheap and alternative tool for delineating the vascular structures, without leakage and spillage during the anatomical dissection.