Anomalous relationship of the retromandibular vein to the facial nerve as a potential risk factor for facial nerve injury during parotidectomy.
Finding and protecting the facial nerve are a challenge for the surgeon performing parotid surgery. The abnormal relationship between the retromandibular vein and facial nerve and its branches may increase the risk of facial nerve injury during surgery. In this clinical report, we have reported a 41-year-old female patient with pleomorphic adenoma undergoing superficial parotidectomy, and we have discussed a new variation of facial nerve-retromandibular vein relationship.
Babademez
Mehmet Ali
MA
Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara, Turkey.
Acar
Baran
B
Gunbey
Emre
E
Karabulut
Hayriye
H
Karasen
Riza Murat
RM
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology*