Facial nerve dissection in parotid surgery: a microscopic investigation study

Abstract

In parotid surgery, it is crucial to identify and preserve the facial nerve, which runs through the parotid gland. The purpose of this study was to histologically clarify two clinical questions: whether “superficial” and “deep” lobes exist anatomically and what are the structures surrounding facial nerve. Parotid gland tissues were obtained from dissection of donated cadavers. The gland was cut perpendicular to the facial nerve plane at 5 mm intervals, and the pieces were embedded in paraffin, thinly sliced, and stained. The morphology of the nerve was observed at each site, and the relationships between the thickness of the perineural tissue (defined as the tissue between the groups of nerve fasciculi and the glandular parenchyma), nerve diameter, and distance from the proximal end of the nerve were examined. In addition, the dissection layer was examined histologically in isolated parotid tissues. The interlobular connective tissue was spread like a mesh within the parotid gland and subdivided the glandular parenchyma. The facial nerve was located in the interlobular connective tissue, and its course was not restricted to the boundary plane between the superficial and deep lobes. The thickness of the perineural tissue decreased with increasing distance from the proximal end of the nerve. The dissection layer was clarified that located in the perineural tissue. The perineural tissue is thinner in more distal regions, which may make dissection more difficult there. No particular anatomical structure appears to separate the superficial and deep lobes.