How Can My Prominent Facial Artery Be Fixed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I found your practice by researching the arterial pulse in my cheek just left of my mouth. It showed up a few years ago and is now very noticeable, extremely so in certain lighting. I’m hoping to consult about surgical options. Scar potential and price. I’m attaching a photo of the location.

A: Your picture shows a classic facial artery pulsation in its location and appearance. This occurs at the bifurcation of the facial artery at the level of the corner of the mouth where it splits into a Y with one branch heading to the upper lip and the other along the side of the nose. Its cause is either an aneursym of the bifurcation or an aberrant loop of one of the takeoffs of thr branches. Treatment is by ligation of the pulsatile branch by an overlying small direct incision.

Dr Barry Eppley

World Renowned Plastic Surgeon