Platysma as a Candidate for Facial Reanimation

Solomou, A., Durnin, L. and Rea, P. (2016) Platysma as a Candidate for Facial Reanimation. Joint Meeting of the Anatomical Society and British Association of Clinical Anatomists, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, 19-21 Jul 2016.

Abstract

Facial reanimation around the orbit remains a challenge in plastic surgery. Platysma has been shown to be an ideal muscle for transfer as it is structurally similar to orbicularis oculi. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurovasculature of the platysma muscle to identify if there was a common site for the neurovasculature stem to be identified at for transfer. Platysma was dissected in two male formaldehyde fixed cadavers (84 and 88 years old) with no craniofacial abnormalities, in accordance with relevant legislation. To confirm structures identified at dissection, we performed histological analysis of all structures. We have shown that platysma is densely innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve, and has a rich vascular network. The arterial supply typically arises from the submental branch of the facial artery, and the venous drainage is to the external jugular vein. There is a predominance of the neurovascular structures at the postero-superior and antero-inferior aspects of the muscle. As such, this muscle is an ideal candidate in terms of structure and dense neurovascular innervation for orbital reanimation, but does not have a single site where these vessels and nerves are typically found.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rea, Professor Paul
• Authors: Solomou, A., Durnin, L., and Rea, P.
• Subjects: Q Science > QM Human anatomy
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences

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