Revisiting the Topographic Anatomy of the Marginal Mandibular Branch of Facial Nerve Relating to the Surgical Approach.

Background: The marginal mandibular branch (Mbr) of the facial nerve is vulnerable to damage during rhytidoplasty, surgical reduction of the mandibular angle, parotidectomy, and excision of the submandibular gland.

Objectives: The authors sought to map the Mbr and determine the relationship between the number of Mbr offshoots and the course of the Mbr.

Methods: The Mbr was examined in 29 hemifaces from 12 embalmed and 4 fresh cadavers (10 males, 6 females; mean age, 73.