Pirogoff's Triangle revisited: an alternative site for microvascular anastomosis to the lingual artery. A technical note.

This technical note aims to draw the surgeon's attention to the lingual artery in its course through Pirogoff's Triangle when looking for an appropriate recipient artery in the neck. Nowadays, free vascularised tissue transfer is used routinely in the reconstruction of defects in the maxillofacial area. Comfortable access to a healthy recipient artery is a major factor in ensuring a successful result. Traditionally, Pirogoff's Triangle is the ideal site to expose the lingual artery for ligation in case of severe haemorrhage of the tongue. This study shows that the lingual artery at this site is also well suited to perform a microvascular anastomosis, as the Triangle offers a convenient access, which is relatively horizontal and not hampered by the mandibular border. The artery is of good calibre and seems fairly resistant against arteriosclerosis.