Unusual Relation of Facial Nerve and Retromandibular Vein in Parotid Surgeries: a Case Series

The relation between the facial nerve and the retromandibular vein is of paramount clinical significance during the parotid surgery for the protection of all the facial nerve branches as these two anatomic structures are always in close proximity. However, variations in the relationship of the facial nerve with the retromandibular vein, as presented in this paper complicate parotid surgery and increase the potentiality of unexpected bleeding and injury to the facial nerve injury. This study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. 4 cases with unusual relation of facial nerve and retromandibular vein in parotid surgeries were studied & included in this study. Out of 70 parotid surgeries which were performed, 4 variations of the retromandibular vein in relation to facial nerve were encountered. With a meticulous dissection the facial nerve branches were separated from the retromandibular vein without causing any injury to the neurovascular structures and functional deficit. Knowledge of normal anatomy of the extra cranial facial nerve and its relation with the retromandibular vein along with the probable anatomical variations leads to a safe parotid surgery.