ArticleCureus2025
Posterior Belly of the Digastric Muscle as a Reliable and Consistent Landmark for the Identification of the Facial Nerve Trunk During Parotidectomy.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- The Facial Nerve in Contemporary Surgery: Anatomical Variability, Pathology-Induced Distortion, and Functional Preservation.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background Identification and preservation of the facial nerve trunk (FNT) are critical during parotidectomy to prevent complications such as facial paralysis. Due to its anatomical proximity and accessibility, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle (PBDM) has emerged as a consistent and reliable intraoperative landmark for localizing the FNT. This study aims to review the experience of a single institution in superficial parotidectomy, with a focus on identifying the FNT using the PBDM. Methods This retrospective observational study reviewed 24 cases of parotidectomy performed at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, from January 2021 to January 2024. Inclusion criteria included patients with parotid tumors, excluding those with preoperative facial nerve palsy or prior head and neck radiation or surgery. Key anatomical landmarks, such as the PBDM and tragal pointer, were used to identify the FNT. Results The PBDM was consistently identified as a reliable landmark. The FNT was located approximately 15-20 mm (17 ± 0.87 mm) superior and medial to the insertion of the PBDM. The distance from the PBDM to the FNT in this study was significantly greater compared to previous studies (p < 0.001), reinforcing its reliability as a consistent anatomical landmark. No cases of facial nerve paresis were observed. Conclusion The PBDM is a reliable and consistent landmark for FNT identification, minimizing the risk of facial nerve injury. This approach is valuable for optimizing outcomes in parotid surgery.
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