Summary
Background
Lore's fascia and the platysma-auricular ligament are discreet fascial structures
anterior and inferior to the auricle respectively. The nomenclature and descriptions
of these structures have been presented inconsistently in the literature. There is
also concern that placement of platysma suspension sutures into these structures may
risk damage to the underlying facial nerve trunk. The aim of this study was to clarify
the anatomy of Lore's fascia and the platysma-auricular ligament, and their relationship
to the facial nerve trunk.
Materials & methods
A cadaveric study utilising twelve fresh cadaveric hemi-faces was undertaken, investigating
the anatomy of Lore's fascia and the platysma-auricular ligament. This comprised dissection
of the periauricular fascial layers and identification of the relationship of these
two structures to the facial nerve trunk. A histological study of Lore's fascia was
performed.
Results
Lore's fascia and the platysma-auricular ligament were identified in all 12 hemi-faces.
The structures were anatomically distinct in all cases. The relationship of the facial
nerve was documented in each case, with the facial nerve trunk found to lie at least
2 cm deep to the most superficial parts of both structures. Lore's fascia was demonstrable
with histology.
Conclusions
Lore's fascia and the platysma-auricular ligament are separate and consistently demonstrable
structures. Both are suitable for platysma suspension sutures in terms of facial nerve
trunk safety, and Lore's ligament can be used as a guide to facial nerve preservation
in parotidectomy.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 26, 2012
Accepted:
March 1,
2012
Received:
November 23,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
