Localization of cervical branches of facial nerve innervating platysma bands

Abstract

The facelift is a traditional surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the neck. However, cervical branch of facial nerve (CN) and retromandibular vein (RMV) injury can occur with scissors or even with a liposuction cannula during dissection. This dissection was performed on 27 hemifaces Thai embalmed cadavers to clarify the detail of CN as it relates to surface landmarks to help surgeons predict the location of CN. Branching point of cervical branch of facial nerve (BP) was frequently on C3 regions (96.67%) and located lateral to anterior border of sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) 2cm; along x-axis and the distances above thyroid line estimated 5 cm in distance y. While the cervical terminal branching point of the facial nerve TBP1 and TBP2 frequently supply platysma in C3 regions (73.33%) lateral to the anterior border of the SCM 5 mm; along the x-axis and the distances y above the thyroid line was estimated at a distance of 4 cm. Moreover, TBP3 was frequently found at medial to the anterior border of the SCM 5 mm in distance X. There was estimated at a distance of 4 cm superior to the thyroid line, whereas TBP4 was frequently found at medial to the anterior border of the SCM 1 cm in distance X. There was estimated at a distance of 4 mm inferior to the thyroid line. To summarize our finding, BP and TBP frequently placed on C3 regions. The distance between BP and RMV were greater and more medial to RMV in male than female