Communication between the transverse cervical nerve (C2,3) and marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve: a cadaveric and clinical study.

Several branches of the facial nerve are known to anastomose with branches of the cervical plexus, other cranial nerves, and the trigeminal nerve. Communication between the sensory transverse cervical nerve (C2, 3) and marginal mandibular nerve is, however, less well known, and in a previous study of 86 neck dissections we reported a 2.3% incidence of anastomoses between them. In this prospective study, we meticulously searched for more examples using both formalin-fixed cadavers and neck dissections. A total of 102 necks were included (both sides of 36 cadavers (n=72 necks), and 30 patients who had neck dissection for the management of squamous cell carcinoma). We found communications between these nerves on one side of a cadaver and in one neck dissection. When combined with the numbers from our previous study, the overall incidence was 2.1% in 188 necks. The marginal mandibular nerve was inseparable from the anastomosis with the transverse cervical nerve, and the variant should not be forgotten if we are to reduce the chance of postoperative weakness of the lower lip, particularly when operative exposure is more limited (such as during removal of the submandibular gland).