Air dissection of the spaces of the head and neck: A new teaching and dissection method

Abstract

Our goal was to evaluate a new air dissection technique for the spaces of the head and neck using fresh-frozen cadavers. Eight sides from four fresh-frozen Caucasian cadavers were used in this study. Compressed air was initially placed into the pterygomandibular space while simultaneously observing the spaces of the head and neck. Subsequently, the pterygomandibular space on the contralateral side of the specimen was insufflated and observations made. For these methods, simultaneous observation of mediastina and lungs was made using intrathoracic endoscopy. On all sides, the buccal, submental, sublingual, parotid, parapharyngeal, and retropharyngeal spaces were insufflated on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Deviation of the larynx and trachea was observed externally and deviation of the mediastinum and lungs via intrathoracic endoscopy. We introduced air dissection into spaces of the head and neck. This new technique might help students, teachers, dentists, medical doctors, and other healthcare providers to better understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the spaces of the head and neck and their communicating pathways. Clin. Anat. 33:207-213, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.