Last update:
28-Sep-2019

Α sound knowledge of the anatomy of the facial nerve is crucial in avoiding morbidity due to iatrogenic trauma and preservation of the facial nerve during surgical procedures of the head and neck. Injury to the facial nerve is a serious complication with heavy repercussions on the quality of life of the patient. Precise knowledge of its anatomy and the surgical technique suited to each case is important for the preservation of the integrity of the facial nerve. Five surgical cases are presented here. The first was a 32 year-old female with a tumor in the left parotid gland, the second was a patient with complicated odontogenic infections, the third a 73 year-old male with a tumor in the right zygomatic-suborbital area, the fourth a 65 year-old male with a recurrence of a malignant tumor of the left pre-auricular and zygomatic area, and the fifth was a 27 year-old male with maxillofacial trauma. Based on the cases presented it is obvious that the surgeon who is planning to intervene must possess a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the area, and particularly of the facial nerve and its branches, and should have received the appropriate training.

Key words: Anatomy, Facial nerve, Head and neck tumors, Maxillofacial trauma, Parotidectomy.