Morphometric study of hypoglossal and facial nerves and its significance in hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis

Background: During the repairing of facial nerve injury most common nerve used is the hypoglossal nerve. Aim and Objectives: To measure the distance between the anatomical landmarks, facial nerve and hypoglossal nerve which will be beneficial to locate the facial nerve and hypoglossal nerve more effortlessly and will decrease the hazard of procedural problems. Material and Methods: Thirty specimens were dissected. Measurements of the hypoglossal and facial nerves were taken from various anatomical landmarks. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16 version. Results: The mean distance of the origin of the facial nerve to the angle of mandible was 3.89 ± 0.53 cm, the mean distance of the origin of the facial nerve to the tip of mastoid process was 1.50 ± 0.40 cm, the mean distance of common carotid bifurcation to the hypoglossal nerve where it crosses the external carotid artery was 1.55 ± 0.68 cm, the mean distance of common carotid bifurcation to the hypoglossal nerve where it crosses the internal carotid artery was 2.02 ± 0.68 cm and the mean distance of hypoglossal nerve to the tip of mastoid process was 3.54 ± 0.76 cm. Conclusion: The results of this study will help and prevent any complication in identifying the hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve during hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis.