Anomalous Relationship of the Retromandibular Vein to the Facial Nerve as a Potential Risk Factor for Facial Nerve Injury During Parotidectomy

Abstract

Finding and protecting the facial nerve are a challenge for the surgeon performing parotid surgery. The abnormal relationship between the retromandibular vein and facial nerve and its branches may increase the risk of facial nerve injury during surgery. In this clinical report, we have reported a 41-year-old female patient with pleomorphic adenoma undergoing superficial parotidectomy, and we have discussed a new variation of facial nerve-retromandibular vein relationship.