title: Anomalous relationship of the retromandibular vein to the facial nerve as a potential risk factor for facial nerve injury during parotidectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Babademez
authors.forename: Baran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gunbey
authors.forename: Hayriye
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Riza Murat
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Karasen
mesh_terms: 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*