Anatomic guides to precisely localize the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve.

UNLABELLED

Descriptions of superficial anatomic landmarks for the identification of the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve, and their relevance for plastic surgery, are lacking in the literature. This paper provides such a description and discusses its relevance to facial surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-six specimens, including the parotid region, from 33 adult cadavers were dissected and studied. All specimens were fixed in formaldehyde, and the superficial tissues were removed and the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve, the parotid gland, the tragus and the lateral palpebral commissure were identified. The vertical and horizontal relationships were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

A total of 69.7% of the cadavers had two branches, 25.8% had three branches, and 4.5% had a single zygomatic branch. The mean horizontal distance of the zygomatic branch (the most upper one) as it emerged from the anterior border of the parotid gland and the tragus was 30.71 mm, whereas the mean vertical distance of the zygomatic branch from the midpoint between the tragus and the lateral palpebral commissure was 19.29 mm. The branching patterns with the buccal branches were reported. There were no statistical differences between the left and right sides or between the sexes. The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve were always under the oblique line between the tragus and the lateral palpebral commissure and have a close relationship with the buccal branches of the facial nerve under this anatomic landmark. Application of the results in facial surgery is discussed.