Neurovasculature of the platysma for use in facial reanimation around the orbit

Rankin, I., Morley, S. and Rea, P.M. (2011) Neurovasculature of the platysma for use in facial reanimation around the orbit. Clinical Anatomy, 24(3), pp. 381-397. (doi: 10.1002/ca.21162)

Abstract

Facial palsy is a debilitating condition, resulting in weakness of the musculature of the face. Facial reanimation procedures around the orbit are limited. Surgical intervention is undertaken to restore facial symmetry, but does not always provide a functional improvement. Due to the similarity of platysma to the orbicularis oculi in thickness, this study proposed the hypothesis that platysma can be used for facial reanimation around the orbit. This study documented the precise pattern of neurovascular supply of platysma through dissection in embalmed cadaveric material and aimed to determine whether a pedicle could be established. The neurovasculature of platysma was found to be consistent with three main features–the nerve and arterial supply to the muscle and its venous drainage. In all four specimens examined, the arterial supply always arose from the submental and facial artery, the venous drainage was always to the external and anterior jugular veins, and the nerve supply always arose from the cervical branch of the facial nerve. It was also noted that these vessels and nerves lay in close proximity to each other. This suggests that a “window” of platysma could be taken for use in orbital facial reanimation procedures to allow function to be restored around the eye.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Morley, Mr Stephen
• Authors: Rankin, I., Morley, S., and Rea, P.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Clinical Anatomy
• ISSN: 0897-3806
• ISSN (Online): 1098-2353