A Morphological Analysis of the Facial Nerve in Korean Fetuses and Stillborn Infants.

Lee, Won Tae; Chung, Youn Young; Kim, Seok Won

Original Article

Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2006;40(6): 445-449.

Won Tae Lee, Youn Young Chung, Seok Won Kim

¹Departments of Anatomy, Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Clinic, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea.
²Departments of Neurosurgery, Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Clinic, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. chosunns@hanmail.net

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE
The accurate anatomy of the facial nerve is essential for successful surgical outcome. The purpose of the present study is to know such information on the facial nerve from a series of specimens.
METHODS
This study is based on cadaveric dissection of 41 Korean fetus and stillborn infant and describes anatomical variations of the peripheral branches of the facial nerve that pose a importance in a number of neruosurgical procedure.
RESULTS
The branching patterns were classified into six types according to modified Davis classification : the frequencies of occurrence were : type I, 4.9%; type II, 24.4%; type III, 34.1%; type IV, 19.5%; type V, 12.2%; and type VI, 4.9%. Types II, III and IV together accounted for almost 80% of the specimens.
CONCLUSION
Compared to previous adult and western stillborn fetus cadaveric studies, there was no significant difference in the percentage of the types between the subjects in the present study, similar pattern and anatomic distribution.

Key Words: Facial nerve; Fetus; Anatomy