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Michael Domet ‘05

Domet MA, Connor NP, Heisey DM, Hartig GK. Anastomoses between the cervical branch of the facial nerve and the transverse cutaneous nerve. Am J Otolaryngol, 2005, 26:168-171.

Cadaveric Study of Anastomoses Between the Cervical Branch of the Facial Nerve and the Transverse Cervical Cutaneous Nerve. Michael A. Domet, MD, Nadine P. Connor, PhD, Dennis M. Heisey, PhD, Gregory, K. Hartig, MD. Triological Society Middle Section Meeting, Marco Island FL, January 2004.

Facial paralysis can result from a number of insults including trauma, infection, and iatrogenic injury. A reduction in control of facial animation is considered a significant clinical problem with associated negative effects on quality of life, communication, and emotional expression. For this reason, protection and visibility of the facial nerve during surgery is considered critical. However, the anastomosis between the cervical division of the facial nerve and the transverse cervical nerve is poorly understood by head /neck and facial plastic surgeons, and inadvertent damage to this connection is a likely contributing factor to post-surgical disruptions in lower facial function. We hypothesize that the anatomic connection between the cervical division of the facial nerve and the transverse cervical nerve can be accurately predicted relative to standard landmarks within the neck. The specific aim of this study is to develop a method of predicting the location of the connection between the nerves in adult cadaveric specimens with a high degree of accuracy. Anatomical dissections in 20 cadaveric hemineck specimens will be performed and a 2-dimensional mapping algorithm will be applied that accommodates individual anatomical variation. For each dissection, we will measure the distances and angles from landmarks in the neck to other landmarks and features of interest. This information will fill a gap in the current knowledge base concerning this anatomic association and will help surgeons avoid inadvertent injury to the cervical division of the facial nerve.

Figure 1
Photomicrograph of a male cadaver’s cervical division of the facial nerve (Down Arrows) and communicating branch of the transverse cervical cutaneous nerve (Curved Arrows).

 

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First published: 07/15/02 Last updated: 11/24/09 webmaster@surgery.wisc.edu
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