FACIAL NERVE

PATTERN OF DISTRIBUTION IN THE PAROTID GLAND

Abstract

Superficial or total parotidectomy with preservation of the facial
nerve has been commonly used for many years in the surgical treatment of parotid gland tumors. Objective: During
dissection of the parotid gland variations are observed. The operating surgeon should be familiar with these variations,
to reduce the incidence of post operative facial nerve paralysis. Setting: The study was conducted in the department
of Anatomy, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and Department of Surgery Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur during
the year 2001 to 2003. Material & Methods: Facial nerve was dissected in a total fifty seven specimens, 21 cadavers
(bilateral) and 15 patients (unilateral). Their ages were between 25 to 65 years. Of these 9 were females and the rest
were males. Results: In this study fifty seven parotid glands were dissected. Out of fifty seven patients, 89.5% had
facial nerve configuration that could be classified into five main types & 10.5% did not fit into any of these categories.
Type III was the commonest (36.7%) while type II & V were not present in any of the case dissected. Type I & IV were
seen in 26.3% of the dissected cases each. Conclusion: In parotid gland surgery if the branching variations are kept
in mind, the surgeon will be safe from unpleasant surprises.