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

Publication date: Available online 2 December 2017
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): Thilo L. Schenck, Konstantin C. Koban, Alexander Schlattau, Konstantin Frank, Anthony P. Sclafani, E. Riccardo Giunta, Malcolm Z. Roth, Alexander Gaggl, Robert H. Gotkin, Sebastian Cotofana
BackgroundThe buccal space 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsThe 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 of age (p = 0.77) or gender (p = 0.13). The maximal injected volume was 10.02cc [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 influenced by age (p = 0.53) or gender (p = 0.78).ConclusionsThe 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.