Sentinel vein and middle temporal vein in Chinese: an anatomic study

Objective To study the characteristics of sentinel vein (SV) and middle temporal vein (MTV) and influence in surgery of periorbital and temporal areas. Methods From January 2018 to August 2019, 20 donated fresh/frozen head specimens (12 males and 8 females) were collected in various regions of China, with an average age of 47.2 (21 to 88) years. Temporal region of 29 hemi-facial area was dissected in layers, and the occurrence rate, route, geometric parameters, branchesand correlation of SV and MTV were observed and measured. Results Occurrence rate of SV was 96.6% (28/29), the subcutaneous subordinate branches of SV were 2.5±1.0 in average, with both joining together in 6 kinds of mode. The horizontal section length was (5.8±3.8) mm, and outside diameter was (1.0±0.1) mm. The vertical section length was (8.2±4.3) mm, and outside diameter was (1.2±0.4) mm, steering vertically to the deep through the superficial temporal fascia, middle temporal fascia (MTF) and superficial layer of deep temporal fascia (SDTF), continuing to the MTV. The minimal average distance between the SV and TFN was (6.0±2.7) mm. Occurrence rate of MTV was 96.6% (28/29). The first half of MTV was parallel to the zygomatic arch and ran across the superficial temporal fat pad, then turned down near the upper pole of the external ear wheel, and run vertically in front of the ear, and 5.9±2.7 peripheral branches were collected along the way. The length of temporal middle vein was (82.3±8.6) mm, and outer diameter of the thickest point was (3.6±0.7) mm. Conclusions Sentinel vein is the main branch of middle temporal vein. It passes through several layers of soft tissue vertically and directly into the MTV. Position of sentinel vein is relatively constant, which is an important localization marker in the operation of the temporal region. The middle temporal vein has large diameter, fixing in the superficial temporal fat pad, collecting the venous reflux of the temporal area at both superficial and deep, which may be the main cause of pulmonary infarction produced by the temporal fat transplantation, and injury should be avoided. Key words: Autopsy; Middle temporal vein; Sentinel vein; Temporalanatomy; Filler injection