The frontalis nerve in the temporal brow lift.

Brow elevations via the indirect temporal lift approach was carried out on a series of 26 cadaver half heads. The purpose of the dissection was to identify the course and depth of plane of the frontalis branch of the facial nerve. Of particular interest was the area superolateral to the brow. Histologic sections were taken along the course of the nerve to determine its exact depth. It was determined that the nerve lay in the superficial musculoaponeurotic system layer of superficial fascia lying above the level of the temporalis fascia. Utilizing this information, a method of dissection in the temporal lift operation is described that safely avoids the frontalis branch of the facial nerve.