How Are Temporal Artery Ligations Done?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have read you perform temporal artery ligations. I am considering this procedure since I have two very prominent arteries on both sides of my head that are very visible.

A: Temporal artery ligations can be done and doing them is actually not rare in my experience.. They usually require at least a two-point and sometimes a three-point ligation to make sure there is no unchecked flow into the ligated artery either through the main superficial artery trunk (anterograde) or from retrograde flow from the distal end of the vessel. These require small incisions (4 to 5mms) in the temporal hairline and at some distal location in the forehead/temporal area. They are done under local anesthesia as a simple outpatient procedure. Since you have two prominent temporal arteries, which are likely just branches of the same vessel, I would need to see a picture of the prominent vessels to see where the ligations would need to be.