Morphological variations in Common Facial Vein with variant venous drainage

Abstract

Background: In depth anatomical knowledge of the facial vasculature is crucial not only for anatomists but also for Oto-rhino-laryngologists, reconstructive and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The common facial vein (CFV) is a vital component of the facial venous system, which exhibits morphological variations that impact surgical and diagnostic procedures. The present study investigates the CFVs anatomical diversity, focusing on the divergent venous drainage patterns. Aim: To describe rare anatomical variations of the common facial vein. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, of a tertiary care establishment (Medical College) in Western Maharashtra, during the period 2023-24. Head and neck region of 20 cadavers (11 males and 9 females) i.e. 40 sides of embalmed cadavers of different age group were carefully dissected, and studied for variations in the formation and drainage pattern of Common facial vein. Results: In 34 sides (85 %), the common facial vein (CFV) terminated into the Internal jugular vein (IJV) as per standard anatomic description. On one side of the cadaver, the left common facial vein (2.5%) was found draining into the anterior jugular vein (AJV) as well as into the internal jugular vein (IJV). In three cadavers (7.5%), the CFV was found to be draining into the AJV. In two cadavers (5%), the facial vein (FV) was not receiving the anterior division of retromandibular vein and was directly draining into the IJV. Conclusion: A sound knowledge of variation in the course and termination of common facial vein is very useful for the clinicians and surgeons who perform procedures like cannulation and vein graft harvesting for endarterectomies of the head and neck region.