Posterior auricular artery as a novel anatomic landmark for identification of the facial nerve: A clinical study

BACKGROUND: In our previous cadaveric study, we highlighted the posterior auricular artery (PAA) as a potential landmark for early identification of facial nerve (FN) when performing parotidectomy. However, further clinical study is critically needed before this landmark could be applied in clinical practice. METHODS: For 31 patients enrolled, we tried to identify the FN by the guide of the PAA during parotidectomy. Additionally, the FN function was evaluated during follow‐up. RESULTS: PAA could be exposed in 28 out of 31 (90.3%) patients during parotidectomy. Moreover, the FN trunk could be identified by the guide of the PAA in all these 28 patients with identifiable PAA. Furthermore, no iatrogenic FN damage happened in this study and the transient FN dysfunction rate was 5.7%. CONCLUSION: The PAA is an ideal landmark for early identification of the FN trunk when performing parotidectomy.