Anatomical observation of the retromandibular vein by mandibular angle ostectomy
10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.48.043
- VernacularTitle:下颌角截骨修复与下颌后静脉的解剖学观测
- Author:
Weihua LIU
;
Shaoping WU
;
Xin LI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research
2010;14(48):9113-9116
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Arterial injury surrounding the mandibular angle is very common during mandibular angle ostectomy. The retromandibular vein is susceptible to injury owing to thin vascular wall and deep location. Anatomical studies regarding the retromandibular vein are rarely reported.OBJECTIVE: To observe the construction, branches, backstreaming of the retromandibular vein and its relation to the facial nerve and mandibular angle.METHODS: Twenty formalin-fixed adult cadavers (40 samples) were randomly selected. Bilateral retromandibular veins and their branches were cleaned. The construction, branches, backstreaming of the retromandibular vein and its relation to the facial nerve and mandibular angle were anatomically observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The retromandibular vein originated constantly and provided an average length of (4.51±2.01) cm, with an average outer diameter of (0.52±0.28) cm at the origination part. A total of 34 samples showed that the retromandibular vein was formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins, and six samples showed that the retromandibular vein originated from the superficial temporal vein. The retromandibular vein divided into two types according to the backstreaming and course: one type consisted of the anterior and posterior branches: the anterior branch mostly drained into the internal jugular vein and minorly drained into the external jugular vein; the posterior branch was joined by the posterior auricular vein and became the external jugular vein. Another type of retromandibular vein without the anterior and posterior branches directly connected with the posterior auricular vein and entered the external jugular vein. The retromandibular vein had the following branches (appearance frequency): facial transverse vein (88%), mandibular articular vein (98%), parotid veins (95%),anterior auricular veins (58%), styloid process vein (43%). 88% of the retromandibular vein was located in the superior and inferior trunks of the facial nerve and in the medial branches. The retromandibular vein connected with facial nerve trunk or major branches in a decussated fashion. 75% of the arc-shaped structures formed by the retromandibular vein and its branches coursed close to the inferior and posterior border of the mandibular angle, and 25% of the arc-shaped structures were not close to the lowest point of the mandibular angle. The thin periosteum between the venous wall and cortical bone was just the position of ostectomy line of mandibular angle. The retromandibular vein was easily injured no matter in vein dissection or ostectomy.
