The stylomastoid artery as an anatomical landmark to the facial nerve during parotid surgery: a clinico-anatomic study.

Background: The identification of the facial nerve can be difficult in a bloody operative field or by an incision that limits exposure; hence anatomical landmarks and adequate operative exposure can aid such identification and preservation. In this clinico-anatomic study, we examined the stylomastoid artery (SMA) and its relation to the facial nerve trunk; the origin of the artery was identified on cadavers and its nature was confirmed histologically.

Methods: The clinical component of the study included prospective reviewing of 100 consecutive routine parotidectomies; while, the anatomical component of the study involved dissecting 50 cadaveric hemifaces.

Salivary VEGF: a non-invasive angiogenic and lymphangiogenic proxy in head and neck cancer prognostication.

Background: Saliva is an enriched milieu containing biologically active proteins, including growth factors and cytokines. The endothelial growth factor family of proteins is important for the development of blood and lymphatic vessels in a healthy individual but also can aide tumour growth.The aim of this study is to develop an independent normative database of values of salivary VEGF in a healthy population and to test the hypothesis that values would be raised in the saliva of patients with oral cancer.

Ethical and technical considerations for the creation of cell lines in the head & neck and tissue harvesting for research and drug development (Part II): ethical aspects of obtaining tissue specimens.

Background: Although much has been published for the development of cell lines, these were lab based and developed for scientific technical staff.

Objective Of Review: We discuss the ethical implications of tissue retention and present a generic consent form (Part II). We also present a simple and successful protocol for the development of cell lines and tissue harvesting for the clinical scientist (Part I).

Ethical and technical considerations for the creation of cell lines in the head & neck and tissue harvesting for research and drug development (Part I): techniques of tissue harvesting and propagation.

Background: Although much has been published for the development of cell lines, these were lab based and developed for scientific technical staff.

Objective Of Review: We present a simple and successful protocol for the development of cell lines and tissue harvesting for the clinical scientist. We also discuss the ethical implications of tissue retention and present a generic consent form.