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Motor nerve to the vastus lateralis
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
|April 18, 2012
Summary
The motor nerve to the vastus lateralis (MNVL) is a suitable nerve graft for facial nerve repair. Its anatomy is well-defined, showing it
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neurosurgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Facial nerve injuries necessitate reconstructive strategies.
- Interpositional nerve grafting is a viable option for facial nerve rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To precisely map the anatomy of the motor nerve to the vastus lateralis (MNVL).
- To assess the MNVL's suitability as an interpositional nerve graft for facial nerve repair.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of 12 fresh human cadaveric thighs.
- Detailed investigation of the MNVL's anatomical location and branching patterns.
Main Results:
- The MNVL exhibits 3-6 primary branches (mean 4.4) with a mean length of 93.8 mm.
- Two larger caliber branches (>2 mm) supply proximal and distal vastus lateralis.
- Nerve branching patterns show variability relative to vascular pedicles.
Conclusions:
- The MNVL is an accessible and redundant motor nerve.
- The MNVL is a suitable donor nerve for facial nerve cable grafting procedures.
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