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J Reconstr Microsurg 2019; 35(05): 341-345
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676601
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Surgical “Safe Zone”: Rapid Anatomical Identification of the Lesser Occipital Nerve

Nima Khavanin
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Hannah M. Carl
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Robin Yang
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
,
Amir H. Dorafshar
2   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

05 August 2018

20 October 2018

Publication Date:
18 December 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background Surgical intervention has established a vital role in the management of chronic headaches. The lesser occipital nerve (LON) is a common target in patients suffering from occipital neuralgia and is often resected as a first-line option. We endeavored to define the relationships of the LON in the posterolateral neck to facilitate its safe and rapid intraoperative identification.

Methods Seven fresh cadavers (14 nerves) were dissected, and their relationships to the mastoid prominence and nearby spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and greater auricular nerve were noted.

Results The distance from the mastoid to the emergence of the LON along the posterior sternocleidomastoid ranged from 36 to 51 mm (mean: 45.2 mm), with relative symmetry between the two nerves in the same cadaver. The SAN emerged an average of 54 mm from the mastoid prominence.

Conclusion Exploration for the LON should begin at a point 40 mm from the mastoid prominence along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. If the point of exit of the LON is not identified within 10 mm of this exposure, our dissection continues cranially along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid, anterior to the trapezius. In rare cases the nerve may pierce the fibers of the muscle and ascend directly on top of the muscle belly. By limiting the caudal extend of the dissection, we can avoid exposure of the SAN and minimize the risk of iatrogenic nerve injury.

Keywords

occipital neuralgia - headache - anatomy
 

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