Objective. To study topographic and anatomic features of sternohyoid muscle, as well as the features of its blood supply and innervation as a neuromuscular graft in surgical treatment of facial paralysis lasting more than 18 months.

Material and methods. This topographic anatomical study included 25 cases of bilateral dissection of sternohyoid muscle (a total of 50 cases) on 25 fresh unfixed corpses. There were 14 female (56%) and 11 male (44%) corpses aged 69.76 years (range 49-84). In all cases, death was not caused by lesions of maxillofacial region and neck. We also excluded corpses with cervical scars. All people died within 3 previous days.

Results. We established all the main characteristics of sternohyoid muscle graft. In all cases, sternohyoid muscle graft had a stable centralized blood supply through superior thyroid artery. Venous outflow was carried out through superior thyroid vein in 86% of cases and middle thyroid vein in 14% of cases. In all cases, innervation of the muscle was ensured by superior root of the cervical loop arising from hyoid nerve.

Keywords. facial nerve, paralysis of facial muscles, facial paralysis, free tissue transplantation, sternohyoid muscle flap