Do I Need Facial Artery Ligation?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a vessel pulsating on my face. It’s on the right side of my mouth and can be seen pulsating but you can’t see the actual artery. What is the cause and how can it be treated?

A: This is a classic pulsative branch of the facial artery that bifurcates outside the corner of the mouth. Unlike the superficial temporal artery in the forehead this pulsatile vessel lies deeper and can not be seen through the skin. But it can be effectively treated by a direct arterial ligation procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana