Anatomy structure characteristics of mandibular angle region and minimally invasive incision at the auriculocephalic sulcus

Zhenzhen ZHAO; Jianxing SONG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Intra-oral, extra-oral, and combination of intraoral and extra-oral incisions often use in mandibular angle contouring surgery. Minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus in mandibular angle osteotomy is a new approach, but its report is rare.

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the anatomical structure of the mandibular angle and its related blood vessels and nerves, and to provide the anatomical basis for the minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus in mandibular angle osteotomy. DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

A single sample observational experiment was performed at Department of Anatomy in the Second Military Medical University from February to May in 2008. MATERIALS A total of 15 adult skull specimens (30 laterals), including 11 female and 4 male, and 15 adult mandible (30 laterals) were used in the experiment.

METHODS:

Anatomical study was performed on 30 laterals of 15 skull specimens, observing distributions and arrangement of blood vessels and nerves as well as their position relation with mandibular angle. After sawing the mandible bones along mark lines, the distances from the mental foramen, mandibular foramen, and each section of mandibular canal to the edge, internal wall and external wall of the mandible bone were measured. The results were expressed as Mean?SD. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The anatomical level, blood vessels, nerves and mandibular canals of mandibular angle region were observed.

RESULTS:

The distances from great auricular nerve, external jugular vein, cervical branch of facial nerve, facial artery and facial vein to the mandibular angle were (19.48?6.45), (13.84?3.78), (9.58?3.05), (22.62?7.16) and (20.08?6.45) mm, respectively. The distance from the location of marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve running out of the parotid gland to the mandibular angle was (7.79?2.57) mm. The distance from the location of mandibular canal at outer margin of third molar to the mandibular angle was (16.97?2.24) mm.

CONCLUSION:

The anatomical structure of the mandibular angle region is complex, and there are many important blood vessels and nerves. Minimally invasive incision at auriculocephalic sulcus is relatively safe in anatomy.