Table 1 A summary of the studies describing the maximum downward deviation of the MMBFN from the lower border of the mandible (MMBFN – Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve)
Year of publication | Country | Sample size (hemifacies) | Maximum deviation of the MMBFN (mm) | Recommended distance for the incision from the angle of mandible (cm) | Special topographical findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 [10] | Germany | 55 | 14.00 | 2 | MMBFN had up to 4 branches |
2012 [11] | Turkey | 44 | 40.08 | None | Branches of MMBFN - one branch (36.4%), two branches 63.6%. Communications with the buccal branch was present in 4.6% |
2007 [12] | Turkey | 50 | 10.04 | 2 | MMBFN ran above the inferior border of the mandible in 74%. In 22% of the times the MMBFN divided into two branches at the crossing point of the facial artery |
2004 [13] | France | 54 | 17.5 | None | Single branch of MMBFN was found in 43% |
1980 [15] | England | 110 | 12.0 | 2 | Communications between the MMBFN and the buccal branch were observed in 8%. Communications between the MMBFN and the cervical branch were observed in 12%. |
2016 [16] | Korea | 29 | 17.0 | 2 | There were no significant differences of the observed distances in fresh and embalmed cadavers |
2007 [18] | China | 24 | 4.8 | None | |
1991 [19] | China | 120 | Between 2.1 and 3.0 | 3 | Only 10% of the rami of the MMBFN ran below the lower border of the mandible |
2009 [20] | Korea | 85 | 19.8 | Does not need to be far as 3–4 cm |