The nasolabial musculocutaneous flap: clinical and anatomical correlations.

The location of the facial artery beneath the facial mimetic muscles of the nasolabial groove allows surgical development of a true musculocutaneous flap. This report of 20 surgical flaps and six cadaveric dissections highlights the nasolabial musculocutaneous flap with its direct muscle perforating arteries which nourish the overlying skin. The absence of any flap's ischemic failure emphasizes the durability of the flap for various midface and oral reconstructive situations. Inferiorly-based flaps are preferable on the basis of discussed anatomical findings. The musculocutaneous flap is especially suited for circumferential interruption of cutaneous blood supply as in the "V-to-Y" and island pedicle flaps.