Introduction: Success in skeletal surgery depends on adequate access and exposure of the underlying skeletal structures. The retromandibular approach exposes the ramus condyle region through the posterior border of the mandible by utilizing the space between marginal mandibular and buccal branches of the facial nerve. Length of this safety window and accessibility varies in each individual owing to the differing ramifications of peripheral branches of facial nerve. These variations cannot be adequately assessed through clinical studies. Cadaveric studies permit us to extensively explore the surgical area to demystify the branching pattern and its relationship to the adjacent structures.
Method: Thirty well-preserved cadaveric facial halves were dissected using a retromandibular incision. Visibility and accessibility were objectively graded through a scale. The safety window and furcation distance were measured using caliper and scale. The appearance of the retromandibular vein was also noted.
Results: Eighteen facial halves showed maximum accessibility wherein the surgeon is expected to visualize the condylar neck, subcondylar region and posterior half of ramus. In 8 facial halves, accessibility was limited to subcondylar and midportion of posterior ramus, and in 8 facial halves, accessibility was limited to the midportion of ramus of the mandible. Safety window ranged from 1.9 to 3.5 cms. Distance between the posterior border of mandible and bifurcation of the facial nerve ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 cms. Facial nerve was encountered in 24 facial halves during the retromandibular approach. Retromandibular vein was encountered in 23 facial halves during the retromandibular approach.
Discussion: The retromandibular approach is a versatile approach to the condyle subcondylar area as it provides much-required visibility and accessibility. The facial nerve branching pattern and intercommunicating branches determine the safety window which is adequate in most cases. The retromandibular vein is a reliable landmark predicting the vicinity of the facial nerve.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11455987 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12663-023-02012-4 | DOI Listing |
J Family Med Prim Care
November 2024
Department of Family Medicine and Polyclinics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Bell's palsy (BP) is a cranial nerve disorder in which unilateral or bilateral paralysis of the facial nerve occurs. The study aims to study BP's characteristics, including its clinical manifestations, prognosis, and complications among adult patients aged 18 years and above.
Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with BP in a primary care setting] [January 2015 to December 2022].
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol
December 2024
University of Utah, Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, United States. Electronic address:
Introduction: Pediatric temporal bone fractures (TBFs) can result in adverse outcomes including meningitis, significant sensorineural hearing loss requiring cochlear implantation (CI), facial nerve weakness, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and labyrinthitis. The objective of this study is to determine the risks of these outcomes for TBFs with hearing loss.
Methods: Using the multinational TriNetX database, a retrospective cohort study was performed of patients less than 18 years old with diagnostic codes for other fracture of base of skull and hearing loss to serve as an approximation of TBF.
Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue
October 2024
Department of Stomatology, Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences(Qingdao Central Hospital). Qingdao 266042, Shandong Province, China. E-mail:
Purpose: To assess the impact of retrograde dissection of the facial nerve along the mandibular margin on the postoperative quality of life in patients with benign superficial parotid tumors.
Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients who underwent surgical treatment for benign superficial parotid tumors at Qingdao Central Hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were involved. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups, with 58 patients in each group using the touch ball method.
Laryngoscope
December 2024
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, U.S.A.
Objectives: Cochlear implant array malpositioning is associated with impaired speech perception, vertigo, and facial nerve stimulation. Tip fold-over is a subset of malpositioning that occurs more often with perimodiolar electrodes, but historically it has not been characterized due to lack of knowledge regarding electrode movements of the electrode within the cochlea. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanics of tip fold-over events and their associated insertion pressure profiles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNMC Case Rep J
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a disorder that causes involuntary movements of the ipsilateral facial muscles because of vascular compression of the facial nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD), a surgical procedure to detach the culprit vessel from the nerve is believed to be the most effective treatment for HFS. Nevertheless, in the rare case in which the vessel penetrates the nerve, positioning the vessel sufficiently far from the nerve is challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!