Abstract: Objective　To investigate the anatomical characteristics of the perforating vessels in the pubic area, providing anatomical basis for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the maxillofacial hairy region.　Methods　30 sides of adult cadaveric specimens (18 sides of male, 12 sides of female) were fixed by 10% formaldehyde conventionally, followed by managements of red latex artery perfusion, microscopic anatomy, and mimic operation. The following contents were observed: ①The origin, course, branch, and distribution of the perforating vessels in the pubic area; ②The anastomosis of the perforators in bilateral pubic area.　Results　The skin blood supply of the pubic region was mainly provided by the superficial external pubic artery, which originated from the femoral artery, and then bifurcated into the superior branch and the inferior branch when arriving at the terminal segment of the great saphenous vein. The superior branch crossed over the inguinal ligament and entered into the pubic area, and finally anastomosed with the contralateral homonymous artery near the anterior midline. Along the way, it sent out cutaneous branches to nourish most of the hairy skin in the pubic area. The inferior branch entered into the pubic proparea horizontally and sent out branches to nourish the medial-superior thigh, the pubic proparea and the scrotum (labium). The average starting outer diameter of the superior branch and the inferior branch were (1.2±0.2) mm and (1.1±0.3) mm, respectively.　Conclusions　The pubic area was abundant and reliable in blood supply, which allowed to design a hair-bearing perforator flap based on the superficial external pubic artery for reconstruction of skin and soft tissue defects in the maxillofacial hairy region.

Key words: Perforator flap, 　Superficial external pubic artery, 　Pubic hair, 　Hair-bearing flap