Clinical anatomy of superior laryngeal artery via transoral approach

Abstract

Objective

Hemorrhage is the most common complication caused by transoral laryngopharyngeal surgery. It is believed that proper management of the superior laryngeal artery (SLA), the main feeding artery for the larynx and pharynx, may reduce intra‐ and postoperative hemorrhage incidence. The aim of this study was to illustrate the anatomy of the SLA via transoral endoscopic approach.

Methods

Fourteen sides of SLA from heads of seven fresh‐frozen and silicone‐injected cadavers were dissected. Transoral dissections were performed for the intra‐laryngeal segment of SLA, and transcervical dissections were performed to confirm the anatomical measurements.

Results

SLA had a slightly descending course from the origin to the larynx, and there was a major branch supplying the epiglottis, named pharyngo‐epiglottic artery (PEA). Parallel with the internal superior laryngeal nerve (ISLN), SLA passed through the thyrohyoid membrane and ended into the hypopharynx. The distance from SLA to the superior horn of thyroid cartilage (SHTC) was (9.11 ± 0.58)mm on the left and (9.01 ± 0.37)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to the inferior margin of the hyoid bone (IMHB) was (2.00 ± 0.11)mm on the left and (1.95 ± 0.08)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to ISLN was (5.98 ± 0.48)mm on the left and (5.78 ± 0.36)mm on the right. No significant difference was found between bilateral sides (p > 0.05). Moreover, the distance from SLA to superior margin of thyroid cartilage (SMTC) was (5.52 ± 0.24)mm on the left and (5.80 ± 0.15)mm on the right. A significant difference was also found between bilateral sides (p = 0.03), which might suggest the SLA is located further from the SMTC on the right side.

Conclusion

SHTC, SMTC, and IMHB could be regarded as anatomical landmarks to locate SLA when applying a transoral approach. Moreover, a complete understanding of the detailed anatomy of the superior laryngeal artery may improve the detection of hemostasis in transoral laryngeal or hypo‐pharyngeal surgery.

1. INTRODUCTION

Transoral surgery (TOS) includes transoral laser surgery (TOLS), transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS), transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and transoral radiofrequency coblation surgery (TRS). ¹ , ² In 1975, Strong et al. ³ introduced the TOLS for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma. Since then, TOS has been widely used to treat early, advanced, or recurrent laryngeal carcinoma, obtaining excellent outcomes and providing safety in terms of organ preservation and local control. ⁴ , ⁵ However, postoperative hemorrhage is the most common complication after TOS, with an incidence of 3.1%–7.5%. ⁶ , ⁷ , ⁸ The incidence of postoperative hemorrhage in the supra‐glottic laryngeal carcinoma has been reported to vary from 7% to 8.5%. ⁹ , ¹⁰ In some cases, severe bleeding may lead to patient's death. ⁶

The superior laryngeal artery (SLA) is the main feeding artery for the larynx and pharynx. It is believed that proper management of the SLA via transoral approach may reduce intra‐ and postoperative hemorrhage incidence. Yet, the transoral anatomy of SLA remains poorly understood. In this study, we used a transoral approach to further explain the detailed anatomy of SLA.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Specimen preparation

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Peking University First Hospital.

The anatomical dissections were conducted at the anatomy center in Peking University First Hospital. The specimens were collected from voluntary body donations to the Peking University First Hospital. In our study, we used 14 sides of SLA from heads of seven adult male fresh‐frozen and silicone‐injected cadavers with no history of trauma, surgery, and congenital malformation.

Transoral dissections were assisted by an endoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany), suspension laryngoscope including the duck‐billed and Feyh‐Kastenbauer suspension laryngoscope, and microdissection instruments.

2.2. Anatomic dissection

Specimens were dissected using a transoral approach, and transcervical dissections were performed to confirm our anatomic measurements. In the transoral approach, the dissections were performed with the help of a suspension laryngoscope, using a superficial‐to‐deep method with endoscopic photo‐documentation at each layer, and carefully protecting the underlying structures. The distance was measured by a standard flexible surgical ruler.

2.3. Anatomic measurements

The following anatomic measurements were applied: (1) the course of SLA via transoral approach; (2) relationship with the superior horn of thyroid cartilage (SHTC), inferior margin of hyoid bone (IMHB), superior margin of thyroid cartilage (SMTC), and internal superior laryngeal nerve (ISLN); (3) branches of SLA; (4) variations of SLA origin.

3. RESULTS

3.1. The course of SLA

Since it branched from the superior thyroid artery, the SLA had a slightly descending course toward the SHTC and was separated by tiny branches feeding the constrictors on the way, after which it penetrated the thyrohyoid membrane. When reaching into the intra‐larynx, it was directed anteriorly along the superior border of the thyroid cartilage in the para‐glottic space until arriving at the pharyngo‐epiglottic fold, after which SLA separated into a major branch named as pharyngo‐epiglottic artery (PEA), adopting a slightly ascending course to feeding the epiglottis (Figure 1). The trunk of SLA had a posterior‐inferior direction, after which it branched into two main terminal branches, the anterior‐inferior branch and the posterior‐inferior branch. The terminal branches were mutually anastomosed and also anastomosed with the branches from the inferior laryngeal artery and cricothyroid artery.

FIGURE 1.

SLA and ISLN anatomy via transoral approach. AEF, aryepiglottic fold; HB, hyoid bone; ISLN, superior laryngeal nerve; PS, pyriform sinus; SLA, superior laryngeal artery; TC, thyroid cartilage

3.2. Relationship with the landmarks

The landmarks included the SHTC, IMHB, and SMTC (Figure 2). The distance from SLA to SHTC was (9.11 ± 0.58)mm on the left and (9.01 ± 0.37)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to IMHB was (2.00 ± 0.11)mm on the left and (1.95 ± 0.08)mm on the right; the distance from SLA to ISLN was (5.98 ± 0.48)mm on the left and (5.78 ± 0.36)mm on the right. No significant difference was found between bilateral sides (p > 0.05). In addition, the distance from SLA to SMTC was (5.52 ± 0.24)mm on the left and (5.80 ± 0.15)mm on the right; the difference between bilateral sides was also observed (p = 0.03) (Table 1).

FIGURE 2.

Diagram for the measurements of the superior laryngeal artery with the landmarks. EC, extension cord; HB, hyoid bone; ISLN, superior laryngeal nerve; SLA, superior laryngeal artery; TC, thyroid cartilage

TABLE 1.

Distance measurements between SLA with landmarks

Landmarks	Left	Right	Max	Min	p
SHTC	9.11 ± 0.58	9.01 ± 0.37	10.2	8.44	0.74
IMHB	2.00 ± 0.11	1.95 ± 0.08	2.12	1.83	0.45
SMTC	5.52 ± 0.24	5.80 ± 0.15	6.01	5.23	0.03*
ISLN	5.97 ± 0.48	5.77 ± 0.36	6.82	5.13	0.43

Note: M ± Std, Max, Min unit: mm. Statistically significant differences between both sides: *p < 0.05.

Abbreviations: IMHB, inferior margin of hyoid bone; ISLN, superior laryngeal nerve; SHTC, superior horn of thyroid cartilage; SLA, superior laryngeal artery; SMHT, superior margin of thyroid cartilage.

3.3. Branches of the SLA

The major branch, described by Rusu et al. ¹¹ as an anterior branch and we named as pharyngo‐epiglottic artery, penetrated the epiglottis at the lateral margin to supply the epiglottis (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3.

PEA pierced into the epiglottis at the lateral margin. E, epiglottis; LA, lingual artery, LA‐B, branch of lingual artery; PEA, pharyngo‐epiglottic artery; PS, pyriform sinus; TB, tongue base; TC, thyroid cartilage

3.4. Variations of SLA origin

The origin of SLA was not only the superior thyroid artery (STA) but also the lingual artery (LA) and external carotid artery (ECA) (Figure 4). There were two specimens that originated from the LA, both on the right sides, and one specimen that originated from LA on the right and ECA on the left. Though anatomical variations of SLA origin, the location in which SLA passed through the thyrohyoid membrane were relatively stable.

FIGURE 4.

Variations of SLA. ECA, external carotid artery; HB, hyoid bone; LA, lingual artery; PEA, pharyngo‐epiglottic artery; SLA, superior laryngeal artery

4. DISCUSSION

In this study, we explored the anatomy of the SLA via a transoral endoscopic approach. The SLA can originate from different places. ¹² Our data suggested that SLA originates from the superior thyroid artery but also the lingual artery and external carotid artery. Moreover, the location where SLA passes through the thyrohyoid membrane and the course of intra‐laryngeal segment were relatively stable.

The total laryngectomy in transoral robotic approach was first successfully performed at the Montefiore Medical Center in July of 2007. ¹³ Since then, it has been widely accepted in clinical work. Previous studies have suggested that hemostatic clip application to the bilateral superior laryngeal vascular pedicles is necessary for successful transoral surgery. ¹³ , ¹⁴ , ¹⁵ , ¹⁶ Our study showed that the SHTC, SMTC, and IMHB could be regarded as anatomical landmarks to locate SLA, thus providing a reference for the efficient hemostasis in transorally laryngeal or pharyngeal surgery. During the transoral surgery, we suggested that the assistant can move the laryngeal prominence; meanwhile, the operator can observe the movement of the thyroid cartilage through the suspension laryngoscope and then locate the SHTC. In this study, the distance from SLA to SMTC between bilateral sides was different (p = 0.03), suggesting that the SLA was located further to SMTC on the right side. However, further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to confirm these findings.

ISLN was paralleled with SLA, and the closest distance between the SLA and ISLN was observed around the SHTC. Consequently, there is a possibility to damage the ISLN during surgery when dealing with the SLA around the SHTC. In our study, we also found that the SLA was away from the ISLN when going through the pharyngo‐epiglottic fold, and the distance between the SLA and ISLN was wider when approaching the epiglottis. Thus, pharyngo‐epiglottic fold may be another landmark when dealing with SLA, especially when treating laryngeal carcinoma of the supra‐glottic type.

PEA is the major branch from SLA that supplies the tissue of epiglottis. For cases of epiglottic carcinoma, accurate homeostasis of PEA at the lateral margin of epiglottis may promote the smooth surgery procedure, shorten the operative time, and preserve the blood supply for the glottis.

Previous studies have reported on the aberrant superior laryngeal artery (ASLA). ¹⁰ , ¹¹ , ¹⁷ Rusu et al. ¹¹ discovered a branch of STA traversing the foramen thyroideum to supply the larynx, with an emerged frequency of 5%. In our study, no ASLA was observed, but it is still necessary to pay attention to the ASLA, as it may result in an alarming postoperative hemorrhage. ¹⁰

This study has a few limitations: (1) there are only seven cadaveric heads, and samples are too small, thus resulting in the bias of the statistics; (2) all cadavers in this study were adult males from China; (3) the cadaveric heads were transected at the seventh cervical vertebra‐first thoracic vertebra level, so the tension of the cervical vascular and muscle was lost, thus limiting the precision of measurements.

5. CONCLUSION

This study provided a comprehensive and detailed description of the endoscopic clinical anatomy of SLA. The SHTC, SMTC, and IMHB could be regarded as anatomical landmarks for locating the SLA via the transoral approach.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Jia J, Zhang J, Zeng Z, et al. Clinical anatomy of superior laryngeal artery via transoral approach. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. 2022;7(3):702-706. doi: 10.1002/lio2.781