The great auricular nerve revisited: pertinent anatomy for SMAS-platysma rhytidectomy.

Aesthetic platysma surgery during rhytidectomy has gained popularity for contour restoration of the jaw line, cervicomental angle, as well as anterior neck defects. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system-platysma flap is elevated and suspended in a cephaloposterior direction by suturing to the investing fascia overlying the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the mastoid bone. This procedure is usually performed without total visualization of the great auricular nerve, possibly placing this nerve at risk during suspension. Anatomical dissections of the great auricular nerve were performed bilaterally on 10 cadavers to delineate its course in the superior neck and identify anatomy pertinent to the elevation of flaps and placement of sutures during superficial musculoaponeurotic system-platysma suspension.