# Vascular Labeling of Extracranial Head and Neck Vessels Using Silicone Dye Injection: An Effective Method for Cadaver-Based Facial Surgery Training

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a reliable method for labeling head and neck blood vessels in cadavers using silicone dye, improving surgical training.

## Contribution

A practical and economical technique for extracranial vascular labeling in cadavers using silicone dye injection is presented.

## Key findings

- Clear demarcation of extracranial head and neck vasculature was achieved in all six cadavers.
- Optimal solvent-to-catalyst ratios enabled staining of both large and small blood vessels (<1 mm) without dye spillage.
- The method preserves intracranial structures for other studies, enhancing cadaver utilization.

## Abstract

Background
 Silicone dye injection is a well-described technique for studying vascular anatomy. Plastic surgeons routinely participate in cadaveric workshops and are involved in the preparation of vascular-labeled cadavers. However, sparse literature is available on dye studies of extracranial head and neck vessels, even with anatomists, and the preparation of these cadavers is a daunting task.

Materials and Methods
 In this study, we describe a straightforward technique of silicone dye injection for extracranial head and neck vasculature and its application for filler injection training and other plastic surgical procedure demonstrations on cadavers. We used six soft-embalmed cadavers. The common carotid arteries and internal jugular veins were cannulated with infant feeding tubes. The vessels that could lead to dye extravasation into intracranial vessels and upper limbs were ligated. The vasculature was irrigated with water and then injected with color-coded silicone dyes (red: arterial; blue: venous). The solvent-to-catalyst ratios were varied to identify the ideal combination. Injected specimens were dissected 24 hours later to identify the staining quality.

Results
 A clear demarcation of the extracranial head and neck vasculature in all cadavers was seen. The best solvent-to-catalyst ratio was identified in cadavers with the best staining of both large and small-sized blood vessels (<1 mm) with no dye spillage from arteries to the veins.

Conclusion
 Silicone dye injection with the described technique can give excellent and predictable results. The technique also uses less quantity of dye, and the intracranial structures are spared, which can be used for other studies; hence, there is more economical utilization of cadavers.