Redefining the Facial Artery Safe Zone: A Dynamic, Segment-Based Vascular Risk Analysis

Kaygın E., Çolak T., Çakır Ö.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, cilt.50, 2026 (Scopus)

Özet

Background: The growing number of facial esthetic procedures has heightened the importance of understanding theanatomy, variations, and potential complications associated with the facial artery, the principal arterial supply of the face. This study aims to characterize the topographic and morphometric features of the facial artery and to examine age and sex-related anatomical variations that may have implications for facial esthetic procedures.
Materials and Methods: Ten facial arteries were examined in six cadavers, and a total of 300 facial arteries were examined in 150 individuals (75 women and 75 men) using
three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). In addition to the 10 morphometric parameters determined, facial arteries were evaluated in terms of age and
sex, branching pattern, termination type, and anastomotic structure.
Results: The most common termination types were Type 2 (32%) and Type 1 (22%). The columellar branch was found in 74% of cases. Sex-based analyses showed that the artery ran significantly more laterally in men in the mandibular and perioral segments, and in women in the nasal segment (p < 0.05). Age-related analyses identified modest positional differences, with a tendency toward a relatively more superomedial position of the facial artery and closer proximity to the orbital region and medial canthus in older individuals.
Conclusion :Our findings suggest that the concept of a universally applicable facial artery “safe zone” may not fully account for individual anatomical variability. These anatomical findings may contribute to individualized anatomical assessment and procedural planning during facial esthetic procedures.