Anatomosurgical study of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve for submandibular surgical approach.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the distance from the mandibular marginal branch of the facial nerve to the inferior margin of the mandible in order to determine the best and safest location to approach the posterior mandibular region. Forty-five hemi-faces of 27 Brazilian adult cadavers were dissected and the distance between the mandibular marginal branch and the inferior margin of the mandible was measured. The number of marginal branches and anastomoses with other branches of the facial nerve was also recorded.