The Role of the Parotid-Mastoid Fascia in Identification of the Facial Nerve Trunk During Parotidectomy.

Objective: We aim to describe the parotid fascia as a landmark that can help identify the immediately underlying facial nerve trunk.

Methods: Dissection of the parotid fascia and identification of the facial nerve trunk were carried out on 8 fresh cadaveric parotid glands. The attachments and arrangement of the parotid gland and its fascia were evaluated and histologically assessed, with special attention to the fascia overlying the facial nerve trunk.