ENDOSCOPIC LOCALIZATION OF ANTERIOR ETHMOIDAL ARTERY IN A CADAVERIC STUDY

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery because of its close relation with vital elements and complicated anatomy of the region, is a dangerous procedure. Initial cadaveric study and attention to identical anatomic landmarks in the continuity with the visual endoscopic experience will pave the way in prevention of surgical complications.
Materials and Methods: Forty Nasal fossae in twenty cadavers were dissected endoscopically. After fronto-ethmoidectomy, the distance between the anterior ethmoidal artery at the base of the skull and two identical anatomic landmarks was measured with colis.
Results: The anterior ethmoidal artery was always present. The mean distance between the artery and the anterior turbinate axilla was 19.6mm on the right side and 19.98 mm on the left side. The anterior ethmoidial edge artery the middle turbinate axilla, and the superomedial edge of the nostril were in a straight line.
Conclusion: In comparison between our results and the results of Chinese study (Lee etal). The distance measurement between the anterior ethmoidal artery and the anterior turbinate axilla is similar (20 mm) and should be more useful in the clinical setup.