Air dissection of the spaces of the head and neck: A new teaching and dissection method

Abstract

Our goal was to evaluate a new air dissection technique for the spaces of the head and neck using fresh-frozen cadavers. Eight sides from four fresh-frozen Caucasian cadavers were used in this study. Compressed air was initially placed into the pterygomandibular space while simultaneously observing the spaces of the head and neck. Subsequently, the pterygomandibular space on the contralateral side of the specimen was insufflated and observations made. For these methods, simultaneous observation of mediastina and lungs was made using intrathoracic endoscopy. On all sides, the buccal, submental, sublingual, parotid, parapharyngeal, and retropharyngeal spaces were insufflated on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Deviation of the larynx and trachea was observed externally and deviation of the mediastinum and lungs via intrathoracic endoscopy. We introduced air dissection into spaces of the head and neck. This new technique might help students, teachers, dentists, medical doctors, and other healthcare providers to better understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the spaces of the head and neck and their communicating pathways. Clin. Anat. 33:207-213, 2020.

Current and potential use of fresh frozen cadaver in surgical training and anatomical education

“…One study used FFC to teach and evaluate specific clinical skills. A new air dissection technique that places compressed air into the spaces of the head and neck while performing intrathoracic endoscopy was introduced to both undergraduate students and professional doctors (Iwanaga et al, 2020). Although this study did not provide statistical data, instructors drew satisfactory evaluation results for their new technique and noted the possibility of teaching this technique to both undergraduate and postgraduate students (Iwanaga et al, 2020).…”

An anatomical study of the pharyngeal plexus: Application to avoiding postoperative dysphagia following anterior approaches to the cervical spine

“…Anatomical knowledge of this space is vital for understanding intra-and post-operative complications such as hematoma and dysphagia (Fisahn et al, 2019;O'Neill et al, 2014). Although several anatomical studies on the retropharyngeal space have been performed, this is the first to our knowledge to have adopted the surgeon's perspective and to provide potential anatomical landmarks for avoiding the PP (Iwanaga et al, 2020;von Glinski et al, 2021).…”

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‑associated vasculitis complicated with oral and maxillofacial space infection in a young woman: A case report

“…Moreover, CT of the jaws indicated swelling of the soft tissues around the mandible, mainly in the left side, suggesting infectious lesions and abscess formation. Iwanaga et al ( 16 ) injected compressed air into the pterygomandibular space of freshly frozen cadavers to simulate mandibular infection that had spread to the occlusal space. Subsequently, significant air diffusion into the parapharyngeal, parotid, buccal, sublingual and submandibular spaces was observed.…”