IDENTIFICATION OF THE MARGINAL MANDIBULAR BRANCH OF FACIAL NERVE DURING OPERATION

Dr.Siddhartha Biswas; Dr. Victor Roy; Dr. Goutam Guha; Dr. Lopamudra Dhali

Volume : VII, Issue : V, May - 2018

IDENTIFICATION OF THE MARGINAL MANDIBULAR BRANCH OF FACIAL NERVE DURING OPERATION

Dr. Siddhartha Biswas, Dr. Victor Roy, Dr. Goutam Guha, Dr. Lopamudra Dhali

Abstract :

Background: Identification and preservation of the marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) remains an important stepin various surgical operations of the neck and parotid regions . Most of the anatomical texts show the MMN to be placed at least 1 cm below the mandible. Our study will observe the course of the MMN and evaluate its relation to the inferior border of mandible and facial vessels in vivo.

Methods: 66 marginal mandibular nerves were examined in 46 consecutive patients admitted under Plastic Surgery department and General Surgery department of two Medical College hospitals in Kolkata for mainly clinically cervical node positive Oral Cancers and thyroid cancers. Using a standardized method, distances were measured from the inferior edge of the mandible and the lowest point of the nerve and the results recorded

Results: Sixty six nerves were examined . The mean position of the nerve was 2.2mm above the right angle of the mandible and 3.2mm above the left angle of the mandible .the mean nerve position was again 0.4mm & 1mm above the lowest point of the mandible respectively on the right & left sides respectively

Conclusion: The marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) is significantly higher than is the standard in many anatomic texts . The location ofthe nerve on the right does not correlate with the left.